Cirque du Soleil is delighted to announce that Alegría, one of its most iconic shows, will return to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Staying true to the essence of the original creation, Alegría will retain its unique spirit of joy and optimism for which it was renowned around the globe. Cirque du Soleil will revisit the show through today’s lens to ensure it is as inspiring as it was 25 years ago.
“Alegría has marked a whole generation of Cirque du Soleil fans. We want to honor their connection to the show and recreate the emotions they felt back in 1994, while leveraging all the possibilities offered to us today. Alegría is a rallying anthem for change and hope, and that is, after all, timeless”, explained Diane Quinn, Cirque du Soleil’s Chief Creative Officer.
Cirque du Soleil first presented Alegría in April 1994, a production destined to change the history of the company, an emblematic show that was to win over more than 14 million spectators. Under the traditional Big Top and in its arena version, Alegría visited 255 cities around the world in its 19 years of touring before finally bidding audiences farewell on December 29, 2013 in Antwerp, Belgium. Since its last performance, Alegría has remained very much alive in the hearts of its fans, who regularly request its comeback. Its emblematic title song, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995, continues to be a fan favorite and remains Cirque du Soleil’s most watched song on YouTube still today.
“It was important for us to highlight the immense impact that Alegría has had on our fans as well as our company. Audiences and employees alike have asked for its return for years, and what better way to do so than through the celebration of its 25-year anniversary. As we continue to look forward and strive to innovate in everything we do, we wanted to pause and celebrate one of the shows that has made Cirque du Soleil what it is today – a global leader in live entertainment”, said Yasmine Khalil, Chief Executive Producer at Cirque du Soleil.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Beloved by fans around the world, iconic Alegría comes back to share its timeless story once more. The classic power struggle of old meets new is reinterpreted for today’s cultural pulse. Alegría translates from Spanish to ‘happiness and joy’. High energy acrobatics and progressive visions of youth collide with traditional aristocratic perspectives to slay old notions, rise with wisdom, and propel forward with no holding back. As a rallying anthem for change, hope, and optimistic renewal, Alegría energizes fans with a joyful spirit for a brighter and inspiring tomorrow.
CREATIVE TEAM
The revisited version of Alegría showcases the creative talent of 15 creators, under the artistic guidance of Daniel Fortin, Vice-President of Creation and Gabriel Pinkstone, Producer:
• Director of Creation – Daniel Ross
• Stage Director – Franco Dragone
• Stage Director, New Version – Jean-Guy Legault
• Production Manager – Lucie Janvier
• Set Designers – Michel Crête and Anne-Séguin Poirier
• Composer – René Dupéré
• Musical Director and Arranger – Jean-Phi Goncalves
• Costume Designer – Dominique Lemieux
• Acrobatic Equipment – Designer Pierre Masse
• Acrobatic Performance Designer and Choreographer – Émilie Therrien
• Director – Coaching & Performance (Acrobatic content) – Richard LePage
• Lighting Designer – Mikki Kunttu
• Sound Designers – Jacques Boucher and Jean-Michel Caron
• Make-Up Designer – Nathalie Gagné
• Technical Director – Christian Laflamme
ALEGRIA AT GALA CELEBRATION 2019
THE NEW “VAI VEDRAI” NOW AVAILABLE
After presenting a captivating number during the gala Célébration 2019, Cirque du Soleil is proud to unveil a revisited version of Vai Vedrai, the first musical excerpt from its new revisited Alegría- In a New Light soundtrack. Jean-Phi Gonclaves, renowned for his work as Musical Director on the Série Hommage, the Cirque du Soleil tribute series presented in Trois-Rivières, arranged and produced Vai Vedrai, composed by René Dupéré. This adaptation of the Alegría score will immerse audiences in the show’s new world.
“Vai Vedrai, is the story of a mother inviting her child to leave the nest and discover the wonderful folly of the world. There exists a touching combination between the music and the lyrics which is just as meaningful today” mentions Jean-Phi Goncalves, the show’s musical director. “The challenge is to update the song’s arrangement by taking it apart and putting it back together differently.” It bears mentioning that the soundtrack of the original Alegría show remains one of Cirque du Soleil’s most popular albums and that its theme song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995.
Starting January 14, digital download and streaming providers will offer a sneak peek at the show’s revisited soundtrack through Vai Vedrai. The complete soundtrack will be available on April 25th. Get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the Alegría soundtrack’s recording with Jean-Phi Goncalves: https://cirk.me/VaiVedrai-BTS.
TICKET INFORMATION
Alegría will premiere in Montreal’s Old Port on April 18, 2019, 25 years after its official premiere, before setting out for a limited tour under the Big Top. In the wake of the great success of our Big Top’s first presence in Gatineau with VOLTA in 2017, Alegría’s tour will first stop in Gatineau at the Zibi site starting August 1st, 2019.
Cirque Club members can purchase tickets online starting today at www.cirquedusoleil.com/alegria.
Facebook: facebook.com/Alegria
Twitter: @Cirque #Alegria
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{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil }
