Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Presents CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE, Today

Acrobatic performers from Cirque de la Symphonie are coming to the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera stage for a one night only special event on Friday, October 28 at Memorial Auditorium.

Cirque's troupe of exceptional artists-aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and strongmen-will perform on stage as the Orchestra performs classical favorites. CSO Music Director Kayoko Dan conducts.

The performance takes place on Friday, October 28, at 7:30pm at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.

The program includes music from Webber's The Phantom of the Opera Rimsky-Korsakov's Danse des Bouffons from The Snow Maiden, Bizet'sCarmen, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain among others.

Cirque de la Symphonie has garnered acclaim for its aerial feats and compelling programs:

The Baltimore Sun has praised the "the brilliant flying, juggling, contorting troupe," writing, "It was cool to hear collective 'oohs' and 'ahs' rise from the crowd [and] hear shouts of approval."

The Boston Globe writes that the "triumphant taking of bows" after Cirque de la Symphonie's sold-out performances with the Boston Pops "were well-earned."

The Seattle Times lauds Cirque de la Symphonie's "every breathtaking feat of strength and agility," writing that "a symphony orchestra has a lot in common with circus acts. Both involve developing and maintaining suspense. Both involve spectacle and modulating emotional pitch, capturing the rapt attention of an audience willing to surrender to every nuance or peak ... The clearest sign that 'Cirque' was working was in the way kids in the audience were just as absorbed by the stand-alone musical portions of the program as they were by the ones featuring the performers."

TICKETS start at $28 and are available for purchase online at www.chattanoogasymphony.org, by phone at 423.267.8583 or in person. The CSO Administration Office and Box Office is located at 701 Broad Street, downtown Chattanooga; tickets are available by phone or in person Monday-Friday, 10 am to 5 pm.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Cirque de la Symphonie

Cirque de la Symphonie brings the magic of cirque to the music hall, showcasing many of the best cirque artists in the world. The performers include world record holders, gold-medal winners of international competitions, Olympians and some of the most original talent ever seen. For more information, visit www.cirquedelasymphonie.com.

Alexander Streltsov is a Russian aerial artist who started working with famed cirque choreographer Pavel Brun and producer Valentin Gneushev at age 12, performing on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre.

Christine Van Loo performed as a professional aerialist and acrobat in the 2002 Winter Olympics and at two Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards (with Aerosmith) and the Miss Universe pageant.

The mind-boggling strength and agility of Jarek and Darek's "Duo Design"-former Polish national hand-balancing champions Jaroslaw Marciniak and Dariusz Wronski-have thrilled audiences at several NBA halftimes, Cirque du Soleil, Busch Gardens, Circus Circus and the national tour of Cirque Ingenieux.

Vladimir Tsarkov provides a spellbinding performance combining mime and juggling feats. A graduate of Russia's prestigious State College of Circus and Theater Arts, he won the gold medal at France's Cirque de Demain International Festival.

Elena Tsarkova, the "Lady in White," is a graduate of the famed Moscow Circus School and first-place winner of the prestigious National Russian Circus Festival. She has performed with the Big Apple Circus, Switzerland's Circus Knie and Germany's Circus Roncalli.

Vitalii Buza began his gymnastic training as an elite gymnast with the Russian national team. He has been featured in numerous TV ads and won a role in the Walt Disney movie "Enchanted." Vitalli also performed at the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl, 2010 Academy Award and has performed for celebrities such as Donald Trump, Russell Simmons, P-Diddy and Shaquille O'Neal.

About Us

The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera continues to inspire, engage, and enrich the greater Chattanooga community as it enters its 84th season. In addition to Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and special event concerts, the CSO will produce their first fully-staged opera in 7 years with Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Conducted by Music Director Kayoko Dan, the CSO consists of top players from the Chattanooga area as well as from across the southern region. Well known for its education and engagement events, the musicians of the CSO perform to more than 20,000 students each year throughout the greater Chattanooga Community.

(Photo Credit: Sarah Stewart)

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