CAVALIA May 27, 2011

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse, a lavish multi-media production created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of Canada’s famed Cirque du Soleil opens in Calgary May 25, 2011 under the White Big Top at Canada Olympic Park, Calgary.
Cavalia is a tribute to horses and a celebration of the relationship that they have developed with humans. Grand scale show features 37 artists and 49 horses from around the world in multi-media extravaganza.

Enjoyed by more than 2.5 million people in the U.S., Europe and Canada, Cavalia is a lavish production involving 37 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers, and musicians, and featuring 49 magnificent horses from all over the world. A show unlike any other, Cavalia celebrates the relationship between humans and horses, virtually reinventing the equestrian arts.
In Cavalia, horses cavort with the many artists in front of a constantly changing digital background projected onto a 200-ft (70-metre) wide screen, drawing spectators into dream-like virtual environments. Unlike traditional horse shows in the round, Cavalia’s audience faces a single 160-ft. (50-metre) wide stage which allows the horses space to gallop at full speed, at times running completely free unfettered by bridles or halters. Cavalia takes place under North America’s largest touring tent – a white, 26,264-sq. ft. (2,440 sq.-metre) big top rising some 100 feet (30-metres) high that gives the horses an ample playground to perform with their trainers and artists.

Delightful, thrilling and poignant, Cavalia explores humankind’s longstanding relationship with the horse. Juxtaposed with the vibrancy of the production is a subtle thematic line that takes audiences through the evolution of horses and our interaction with them. Audiences discover an unbridled life in the wilderness, then early domestication, and ultimately a relationship with human beings based on freedom and mutual respect. Cavalia’s horse training is based upon a philosophy of understanding the horse rather than making him understand the human beings around him. The tone of the show, embraced by the entire company, is one of mutual respect, kindness, patience and trust. Audiences have found Cavalia exhilarating in scope yet touching in the compassion shown by both horse and human.

Official Website: http://www.cavalia.net