'Cirque' complements music

By MARTY CLEAR, Times Correspondent
Published January 12, 2008

TAMPA - Bill Allen, the creator of Cirque de la Symphonie, said orchestras around the country like booking his show because it sells tickets, adds substance and sparkle to pops performances and draws younger people.

Friday night, the performance of Cirque de la Symphonie with the Florida Orchestra succeeded powerfully on two of those levels.

The idea is to add a visual boost to orchestral concerts by adding world-class "cirque" acts, which basically means acts that combine circus skills with a fine art sensibility.

Carol Morsani Hall was packed, and if anyone was disappointed it didn't show. They audience regularly erupted into applause.

Five cirque acts appeared, at different points through the show, and most were stunning. Aerialist Alexander Streltsov provided a melancholy work of poetic fluidity, floating above the stage with grace and real drama. Juggler Vladimir Tsarkov offered comic counterpoint without diminishing the artistry. Contortionist Elena Tsarkova did things that humans shouldn't be able to do, and she did them with style and beauty.

Behind them, the Florida Orchestra played beautifully, conducted by Michael Krajewski of Cirque de la Symphonie. The orchestra also played several selections without the cirque acts.

Musically, the first was more successful by far. The orchestra played 45 minutes or so of classical music, including pieces by Dvorak, Khatchaturian, Rimsky-Korsakov and Saint-Saens. It was mostly excerpts, but a full set of classical music is a rare treat in a pops concert.

After intermission, the music selection regressed into standard pops territory, including music from Star Wars and Harry Pottermovies. Considering how well the classical selections worked, and how heartily they were received, it didn't seem necessary for the orchestra to play popular music. But it still sounded great.

One goal the show, which will come to Mahaffey Theater tonight and tomorrow, did not accomplish was to attract younger people. At Friday's show, the demographic appeared about the same as that of standard pops concerts.

Review

Cirque de la Symphonie

With the Florida Orchestra, 8 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg. $19-$54. (727) 892-5767 or www.floridaorchestra.org.

[Last modified January 12, 2008, 00:02:45]