httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUrHrWuuk0c
Aomen TV goes behind-the-scenes of ZAIA to give you a glimpse of what goes on backstage. The more you see this show the more you will enjoy the experience. The artists and crew do an excellent job of bringing the magic of theatre, dance, and acrobatics to life. This is a must-see experience in a fantastic purpose-built theatre. So, if you haven’t already been, go on a journey of your own. If you’ve been once, see it again!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zsFpFEfYt0
Denis Lacombe does the Mad Conductor “skit”
The soundtrack for the Cirque Du Soleil ZAIA show is completed and will be printed to CD soon and available to the public. I don’t know a specific release date, but somewhere around early Summer 2009.
My part in the project was to play keyboards and arrange string parts recorded by members of the Hong Kong Symphony. Most of the recording was done on location in Macau (SAR) China, and the string parts with the HK Philharmonic players was completed at a recording studio in Hong Kong.
Rumor mill on the street is that Guy LaLiberte (founder of Cirque Du Soleil) has heard the soundtrack and loved it. I’ve even been told he asked to hear a second time the next morning.
Members of the ZAIA band got to hear a preview of the finished soundtrack with composer Violaine Corradi at the end of February. I won’t give you any spoilers, except to say that I was very pleased with the project and enjoyed the creativity in the mixes.
Violaine Corradi (ZAIA composer) told me one of her goals of the finished soundtrack was to have it be like looking at a prism held in your hand, then rotating it to look at the prism from different perspectives. I definately got that feeling from the soundtrack.
To my knowledge, this is also the first Cirque Du Soleil soundtrack CD recorded by the actual performing musicians in the show. The other soundtracks are recorded with studio musicians in Montreal I’ve heard. (With the exception of some subsequent live releases from shows like Mystere).
So I hope you all enjoy our work on the ZAIA CD when it’s released. Of course I’ll post on my blog when I know the official release date.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE6RvMBu9zY
People often wonder why Cirque Du Soleil doesn’t use any animals in it’s shows. The answer may lie in this video. I find this video very disturbing and other viewers will also.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjRRUC0AMg4
Clips from Valentine’s Day 2009 at the Sands Venetian, Macau (SAR) China. This is some of the cast and myself handing out balloons to customers at the Venetian before the show. It was very hard work handing out balloons to the pretty ladies. 🙂
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RxhCHBU9Lw
Email question received:
Hi Conrad,
I stumbled across your website when researching Cirque composers. I am a student at Musicians Institute LA, and i have been invited to audition with cirque here in LA next tuesday. I am a keyboardist and guitarist (acc/elect) and was wondering whether you had any tips regarding how to make the best impression at the audition. I have picked 2 pieces on keys and one of guitar, as well as a piece of my choice.
I love the cirques music, feeling and message and i dearly hope to give the best performance that i can possibly give at the audition.
thanks
(name edited)
Continue reading “Q&A: How to Prepare for a Cirque Audition”
I was wondering if anyone has seen “Memphis” the musical and what they thought about it. All I know is that it’s playing February 2009 at the 5th Avenue in Seattle, WA. One of the writers is from Bon Jovi and it’s been receiving “critical acclaim” since it’s off-Broadway debut in 2002.
I’m always fascinated when artists cross from mainstream art into more “legit” forms like theater and film. Comments?
Kung Hei Fat Choy 2009 (Happy Chinese New Year) from the cast of ZAIA. 2009 is the Year of the Ox. Macau will be a crazy one week party starting the week of January 26 2009 for the week long Chinese New Year celebrations.
Around 1996 I was in Tokyo for New Years Eve celebrations with monks ringing gigantic bells with wooden rams. But this is my first CHINESE New Years in China. Techs of Cirque’s ZAIA show were here for the 2008 Fat Choy, but this is the first one for artists of Zaia. We’ve been told “Macau will shut down” during the holiday week.
We’ve all been given red envelopes with the ZAIA embossed logo to fill with money and give to locals for good luck; another traditiion of Chinese New Years. Our work week includes 11 shows for the celebrations, along with many special mini performances around the Venetian in Macau. Anyone know where I can buy some fireworks?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDtLt7HANF4
30 second clip of our ZAIA special New Year’s Eve countdown party and Cirque performance in Macau.