The Columbus Symphony Presents Cirque de la Symphonie, 1/19

Cirque de la Symphonie is a unique and elegant fusion of cirque and orchestra, adapting the stunning artistry of cirque with the majesty of a full symphony orchestra. The program will feature works from the world's greatest composers while showcasing some of the most accomplished veterans of exceptional cirque programs from across the globe, including aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen.

The Columbus Symphony presents Cirque de la Symphonie at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) on Saturday, January 19, at 8pm. Tickets are $25-$65 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 228-8600 or (800) 745-3000. The Ohio Theatre Ticket Office will also be open two hours prior to each performance. Young people between the ages of 13-25 may purchase $5 PNC Arts Alive All Access tickets while available. For more information, visit www.GoFor5.com.

The 2012-13 Pops Series is made possible through the generous support of series sponsor AEP.

About the artists of Cirque de la Symphonie
Alexander Streltsov is a Russian aerial artist who started working with famed cirque choreographer Pavel Brun and producer Valentin Gneushev when he was only twelve, performing on Broadway at the Gershwin Theater. The same year, he won the gold medal in a competition among international cirque artists at the prestigious Festival Mondial Du Cirque De L'Avenir in Paris. His combination of natural strength, artistic expression, and grace sets his performance apart from other aerialists. Also known as "Sasha," he has performed for three Russian presidents and the Bolshoi Ballet, numerous symphonies in the US and Europe, and elaborate theater and stage productions worldwide. He has made many television appearances, such as the star-studded ABC-TV special "Christopher Reeve- A Celebration of Hope" and the PBS nationwide broadcast of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Fourth of July Celebration. He continues to be a favorite at music halls, soaring over the audience in a spectacular display of aerial artistry or spinning his riveting cube act into motion.

Christine Van Loo is a seven-time consecutive National Champion, Female Olympic Athlete of the Year, and Athlete of the Decade in acrobatic gymnastics. She was inducted into the USSA (acro-gymnastics) Hall of Fame and the World Acrobatics Society Gallery of Honor. As a professional aerialist and acrobat, she has performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, two Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Miss Universe pageant, and Paul McCartney's European tour. She was a trainer and performer with NBC's "Celebrity Circus," and she choreographed the aerials for Britney Spears world tour and the Stars on Ice US tour. Christine provides spell-binding performances of aerial silks, rope, lira, and trapeze with Cirque de la Symphonie.

Jarek and Darek's "Duo Design" provides one of the most powerful acts to be included in Cirque de la Symphonie's captivating program. This dynamic and exciting balancing act consists of Jaroslaw Marciniak and Dariusz Wronski, former Polish national hand-balancing champions. They have competed and performed throughout Europe and the US, winning championships in Evian, France, and Sarasota, Florida. Over the past few years, these prolific performers have thrilled audiences at several NBA halftimes, Cirque du Soleil, Circus Circus, Busch Gardens, and the national tour of Cirque Ingenieux. Their Cirque de la Symphonie performances have left audiences stunned and amazed at music halls everywhere.

Aloysia Gavre is another incredible aerial performer from the Ecole National de Cirque, Montreal, with early training from Master Lu-Yi and the Pickle Family Circus School. Her aerial acrobatics and graceful maneuvers on the aerial hoop, suspended high above the stage, add three-dimensional excitement to the symphony and the music hall. Aloysia was the Special Prize Winner at the International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo. A veteran of stage and theater performances worldwide, Aloysia is best known as a veteran of Cirque du Soleil's "Quidam" and "O." Her five years with "Quidam" established her as one of the best aerial artists in the world, and today, she shares that experience with others as choreographer for Cirque Mechanics and Troupe Vertigo and as director of Cirque School in Los Angeles. Aloysia's regular performances with Cirque de la Symphonie and live orchestras take aerial acrobatics to a new level.

More Articles by This Author...