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The ads don't say "Back by Popular Demand," but they could: After attracting a near-sellout crowd 18 months ago, Cirque de la Symphonie returns to the Charlotte Symphony's Pops series this weekend.
The aerialists, acrobats and strongmen will perform a new set of feats choreographed to favorite orchestral works.
"Our goal in pairing acrobatic performances with classical masterpieces has been to elevate cirque artistry to a fine arts level," says Cirque producer Bill Allen.
Charlotte audiences will finally get to see Alexander Streltsov, one of the Cirque company's headliners. The day before the group's April 2010 visit, a back injury sidelined him. Now - knock on wood - the Russian aerialist will perform his spinning-cube act to a lusty excerpt from Khatchaturian's ballet score "Gayaneh."
Some of the other acts:
Aerialist Christine Van Loo, who has performed in shows for the Winter Olympics and Grammy awards, will ascend on silk with the help of a gentler section of Khatchaturian's ballet.
Taking the place of the supernatural creatures in "Swan Lake," Van Loo and Streltsov will lift Tchaikovsky's waltz into midair.
The thunderous tones of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor will propel the strongman duo of Jarek and Darek, former Polish hand-balancing champions.
