The National Arts Centre Orchestra (almost) runs away to join the circus in a breathtaking sight-and-sound spectacular! In the sixth CTV Pops concert of the NAC Orchestra’s 2010-11 season, NAC Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly acts as ringmaster for the National Arts Centre Orchestra and incredible special guests in Cirque de la Symphonie. These concerts take place at 8 p.m. in Southam Hall on Thursday June 16, Friday June 17, and Saturday June 18, 2011.

The Saturday Night Performance Sponsor is Milestones Grill + Bar.

Imagine aerialists flying high above the orchestra in a gravity-defying ballet, astonishing acrobats, sinewy strongmen, nimble jugglers, and amazing contortionists ... it’s the art of cirque. Now, add the excitement of synchronized classical selections and contemporary music -- performed live by the NAC Orchestra -- and you have the incomparable Cirque de la Symphonie.

This three dimensional entertainment extravaganza has thrilled and delighted capacity crowds in concert halls all over the world. Featuring some of the most wildly original performances witnessed anywhere, Cirque de la Symphonie fuses music and magic in a showcase for some of the best circus artists in the world, including world record holders, international competition gold-medal winners, and Olympic athletes. Starring in Cirque de la Symphonie are Christine Van Loo (static silks, aerial rope); Vladimir Tsarkov (ring juggling); Alexander “The Boy Who Can Fly” Streltsov (aerial artistry on silk, the Spinning Cube); Elena Tsarkova (contortion/dance); Aloysia Gavre (aerial hoop); Vladimir & Elena (juggling batons with ribbon dance); Irina Burdetsky (hula hoops); and Jarek & Darek (strongmen/hand balancing).

The concerts feature musical selections such as Khachaturian’s Valse from Masquerade, Bizet’s Carmen Suites, Sondheim’s “Comedy Tonight” from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, excerpts from Samson et Dalila, Swan Lake, Star Wars, and many more.

The NAC Orchestra performs Cirque de la Symphonie in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Thursday June 16, Friday June 17, and Saturday June 18, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.45, $31.21, $42.51, $53.81, $64.57, $75.33, and $94.17 for adults and $11.38, $16.76, $22.41, $28.06, $33.44, $38.82, and $48.24 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 1-888-991-2787; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through www.nac-cna.ca.

Subject to availability, full-time students (aged 13-29) with valid Live Rush™ membership (free registration at www.liverush.ca) may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discount price of $12 per ticket. Tickets are available online (www.nac-cna.ca) or at the NAC box office from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the show or 2 hours before a matinee. Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices to all NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Our latest web offering -- coming soon --
NACmusicbox TIMELINE 200 orchestral works, 80 Canadian compositions, 1 interactive TIMELINE. Explore unlimited music connections and discover Canada's contribution to orchestral history. The interactive TIMELINE includes the addition of 65 Canadian works thanks to financial investment by the Virtual Museum of Canada at the Department of Canadian Heritage. We also acknowledge our partner CBC Radio 2 for providing broadcast-quality recordings of the NAC Orchestra’s archival performances.

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Information:   
Gerald Morris
Communications Officer, NAC Music
613-947-7000, ext. 335
[e-mail] gmorris@nac-cna.ca