What’s better than seeing one of the world’s best orchestras perform live? The same show accompanied with live circus performers. Welcome to Cirque de la Symphonie – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) jaw dropping, elegant, and entertaining artistic fusion show.

The symphony recreated classic masterpieces like the ‘Can Can’, Tchaikovsky’s famous ‘Swan Lake Waltz’, and the appropriately named ‘Dance of the Comedians’ as circus performers flew, juggled, contorted, and back bended! A highlight was when a male aerialist flew circles over the audience suspended on straps – a la Superman – to the famous ‘Flight to Neverland’ from Hook.

‘Magical’ is one word to describe the show. I couldn’t decide if the show was more circus or orchestra. The integration between the two arts was seamless as music and movement melded into one. At one point the orchestra conductor was forced from his podium by an insistent clown, leaving the orchestra to their own means, to partake in a magic trick!

Concert and circus fusion is a prime example of MSO’s creative flair and willingness to push boarders with their art form. MSO has held movie themed concerts where a famous film (such as Lord of the Rings or Raiders of the Lost Ark) plays and the orchestra plays the score live. Who says orchestra has to be boring when you can see the music come to live with creative performers or visual effects?

– Ember
Ember is an American turned Aussie. Her love affair with Melbourne goes back four years, and she still can’t get enough of this city! Discovering new hideouts and hidden gems around Melbourne is her hobby. Marketing Strategist by day, spontaneous adventurer, brekky enthusiast, and aerial acrobat by night.

Check out the exciting shows MSO has coming up (hint: an Indiana Jones screening is coming up in November!).

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of MSO.
Photo credit: Daniel Aulsebrook.