Following two years of record-breaking success, the Grand Rapids Symphony welcomes the return of Cirque de la Symphonie’s “Cirque de Noël.” Three performances of this show, freshened for 2011, will be presented at DeVos Performance Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, Dec. 23 at 8:00 p.m.
This high-energy show fuses the awe-inspiring feats of Cirque’s aerial artists, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, balancers, strongmen and jugglers with holiday music and traditional classics in an electrifying act that promises to leave concertgoers breathless. Conductor David Lockington will lead the Symphony for this magical holiday treat.
“This is a gift the whole family will celebrate for years to come,” Lockington said. “Each time we have presented Cirque de la Symphonie our audiences have asked for more.”
“The phenomenal talents of Cirque’s internationally acclaimed performance artists coupled with our own extraordinary musicians make for a spectacular holiday treat. It’s the perfect fusion of two great art forms.”
Cirque de la Symphonie’s performances are uniquely adapted to stage accommodations shared with the Symphony, and each artist’s performance is choreographed to the musical arrangement provided by the orchestra. The audience will be thrilled by world-renowned acrobats, contortionists, aerial flyers and jugglers.
Musical highlights of the program will include selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” Suite from “Polar Express,” the “Skater’s Waltz” and Leroy Anderson’s perennial favorite “Sleigh Ride.”
“DeVos Performance Hall is a model venue for experiencing the power of Cirque,” Lockington said. “The intimate ambiance of the hall puts concertgoers close to the action, and the live orchestral music component is unique to this production. It truly sets this show apart from other Cirque experiences.”
Tickets for “Cirque de Noël” start at $32 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800/982-2787, online at www.ticketmaster.com or in person at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Symphony office or two hours prior to the performance at the concert venue.
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About the Grand Rapids Symphony
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington, eight concert series are presented, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles. More than 400 performances are presented each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. The Symphony sponsors the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses, and also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company.
These concerts are made possible with support from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.