Customer Reviews

Alegria

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Cirque du Soleil soundtracks are always enjoyable as they have some of the best producers and singers in the world on each CD. I now have each and every CdS soundtrack, even ones OOP, and Alegria is far and away my favorite. And it is no secret why.....Francesca Gagnon's haunting voice. The woman in white is mesmerizing and one of the most talented performers I have ever seen or heard. I never understood why people cried at operas; after hearing Francesca, I now do.

Vai Vadrai is my favorite song on any Cirque album......the raspy, sultry voice of Francesca has to be heard to be believed.....and then heard again. Alegria is another favorite of mine, and is a beautiful first song to start the show/CD. Mirko is amazing as it really is almost Francesca yelling and yet at the same time, it is a beautiful song.....I cannot picture any other singer pulling this off. And at one point in the song, her voice literally merges with the instruments and the listener cannot tell when her voice ends and the instruments begin. It really is unbelievable. Querer is another favorite, is belted out like nothing you've ever heard.....turn up the volume when this one starts.

These four songs alone are worth the cost of the CD. Rene Dupere should not be forgotten either, as he did a fantastic job.

Francesca has another CD coming out any day now, but buy this one while you wait. You will not be disappointed.

Alegria means happiness in Spanish, and that't exactly what this CD delivers, a good dose of happiness and a nice escape route from the pre-packaged wasteland of FM radio in the 21st Century. Having bought the CD several years ago, I could hardly wait to compare the listening experience to the live performance that I saw earlier today, and I must admit, the CD was an excellent primer for the show.


The most likable characteristic was the way the vocals in the live show matched the vocals on the CD.


Listening to Alegria makes you feel as if you've entered a fantasy land full of benign and carefree elves, goblins, and other wondrous mischievous misfit creatures whose only job is to take you to the edge of enjoyment and to let you define what your own limits are. And while the visual effects of the live show are mesmerizing, they would be useless without this powerful sound track, which is worth listening to on its own merits.


The songs are all built on melancholy keys, with the arrangements designed to tug at your emotions and create a feeling of Bohemia and old Europe. And despite the expectations of anyone who has ever seen a Cirque show, they deliver just the right dosage of fantasy and escapism with enough versatility to favor a nice drive, a quiet evening at home, or background music for a good book or even working on a project.


My favorite song on the CD is Vai Vedrai, which is a trademark Cirque song, with the haunting vocal adding to the sentimental gipsy lament that it seems to be broadcasting.


Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good alternative listen, wants to share music with the entire family, or is interested in the Cirque du Soleil phenomenon. Also recommended is a visit to any live performance by this troop, as well as any other of their CD, or DVD/VHS products. They truly deliver the goods.

I saw "Alegria" when it came to my area, and the show took my breath away. I have seen both "O" and "Dralion," and heard samplings of other Cirque shows, but "Alegria" has perhaps the most upbeat songs on it. Favorites include the title track, 'Vai Vedrai,' and 'Querer.'

Definitely worth your money, and it provides very ecclectic listening/mood music.

Alegria is one of Cirque's finest triumphs. Having opened in 1994, it still tours today, and its soundtrack is the still the highest-selling Cirque soundtrack to date. It's music is a delightful blend of heart-felt, whimsical, evocative songs, many of which display the vocal talents of Francesca Gagnon. Like most Cirque albums, not all of the show music is present, but the Alegria soundtrack includes most of the key musical numbers and can thus be considered a relative success.


---DVD PERFORMANCE ACTS---

* Opening
* Swinging Trapeze
* Fast Track (Trampoline)
* Fire Knife Dance
* Manipulation
* Snow Storm (Clowns)
* Le Bal
* Flying Man
* Russian Bar
* Contortion
* Aerial High Bar
* Finale


---CD TRACKS---

1. Alegria (Finale): The show's unofficial "theme song". It's very bubbly and hummable. Though it's actually sung during the finale, it also makes for a good first track on the CD.

2. Vai Vedrai (Swinging Trapeze): Mysterious and elegant, "Vai Vedrai" begins softly and crescendos. A lovely interlude of strings in the middle. Sung during the second half of Swinging Trapeze and while the performers set up the Fast Track. Identical to the show.

3. Kalendro: Not actually in the DVD version of Alegria. Has a sort of tribal feel with a choral group. This music was used in several rotational tour acts not included in the filmed version. I don't mind it's inclusion...since the DVD is the eternal "snapshot" of the show it Cirque could have included one of the omitted DVD songs in place of "Kalendro"; on the other hand, since the audience can listen to the DVD, it is nice that a rotational musical piece was preserved on CD.

4. Querer: Not actually in the DVD version of Alegria. Sung by Gagnon. Very Spanish feel. Fits wonderfully with the rest of the score.

5. Irna (Fast Track): An energetic track that pulls the main theme from the Fast Track show piece, but misses the mark in some areas. The show version glides effortlessly into a soft, sad vocal interlude (which features for the first time a duet with Ève Montpetit as The Black Singer). This is included on the CD as "Valsapena" (#11) but loses its effectiveness. Also in the live show, an intense duet ending the piece is here shifted to the middle minus the vocals. There was no reason to remove these beautiful additions and the song, while enjoyable without, does not reach the roller-coaster of emotion of the live show.

6. Taruka (Contortion): Very oriental with flute and strings. The CD version features vocals much more heavily than in the show but the singing only enhances the song...one of the few times that the CD track is actually better than the show. Lovely, fluid music that is perfect for the contortion act.

7. Jeux d'Enfants: Not actually in the DVD version of Alegria. Twenty seconds into the song you may fight the urge to tear your hair out. It's incredibly irritating and an utter waste of space. Why was this ridiculous track used when other stunning numbers were left out!

8. Mirko (Trapeze Setup): Syncopated, intense, and evocative, with stunning vocals by Gagnon. Nearly identical to the show, except for a few soft measures of violin omitted.

9. Icare (High Bar): Great number; captures the anticipation of the act with great instruments.

10. Ibis: Not actually in the DVD version of Alegria. As with "Kalendro", "Ibis" was used for touring rotational acts. Features Gagnon singing and fits well with the show. The vocals soar and are very inspiring.

11. Valsapena (Fast Track): The middle segment of Fast Track. Sadly has now lost the duet Ève Montpetit as The Black Singer. "Valsapena" works on its own but should have been left with "Irna" so as not to lose the fluidity of the act.

12. Nocturne (Snow Storm): This slow, haunting melody with quiet strings and a gentle trumpet solo is essential to the more serious side of the show. At about 3 minutes, could have been slightly longer to match its 4 minute duration live. I probably wouldn't have placed it last on the CD...strange end to such to such a vibrant collection of songs!


(For those wishing to re-arrange their music true to the live show, it would be as follows):

#8
#2
#11
#5
#13
#12
#14
#6
#9
#1

#3 (not in DVD version of show)
#4 (not in DVD version of show)
#7 (not in DVD version of show)
#10 (not in DVD version of show)


---TRACKS CUT FROM CD---

Opening: Short introductory instrumentals, but very fun. It could have easily been incorporated into the soundtrack.

Fire Dance: A piece that begins rather non-descriptly but picks up with strings and a vocal duet about halfway through. Enjoyable to listen to, but if Cirque wanted to cut down the length of their soundtrack, this was probably okay to leave out.

Cerceaux (Manipulation): Included as track 13 on extended soundtrack. Absolutely beautiful Indian-flavored melody that's great fun. Should be included on the original and current soundtracks.

Strong Man: Very minimal background music; no reason to include on a soundtrack.

Malioumba (Flying Man): Included as track 14 on extended soundtrack. Having not heard this track on CD, I cannot compare it to the show. However, a review of the live version follows: "Malioumba" is exotic with goosebump-inducing vocals by Gagnon. One of the musical highlights of the show; should be included on the original and current soundtracks.

Russian Bar: Fast-paced, completely instrumental. Wonderful violins and percussion. A mystery why this was left out.

Le Bal: Short vocal piece directly after intermission. Short and flirty but nothing too special; Gagnon oddly has trouble staying on pitch and I personally don't mind that it was omitted from the album.



---OTHER CUT TRACKS---

Handbalancing: Rotational touring act.

Cyr Wheel: Rotational touring act.


---FINAL TAKE---

Were I reviewing the extended soundtrack, I would have given it 5 stars. However, because only the non-extended versions (missing Flying Man and Manipulation) are not available, my rating for the current soundtrack is 4 stars. I appreciate that nearly the entire show is captured forever on the Alegria CD, an effort that not all Cirque shows are given. The music itself is an amazing success both compositionally and in retail sales. Gagnon performs beautifully throughout and the sound quality is wonderful. This is a must for an fan of Cirque music!

This CD is a bacchanalia. It is ecstatic and blissful and alien and sad and insane. There are so many worlds contained in this music that it's hard to describe. I have to say I've loved this CD for more than a decade and it has been a source of constant agony and joy and ecstasy. It doesn't age. It is a classic. There are so many nuances in it, so much fantasy, madness, passion and creativity that it is truly one of a kind. Each song produces a peculiar state of mind. I don't know how else to describe this experience. I'd say my favorite experiences are Mirki, Vai Vedrai, Querer (awesome!) and Valsapena. Please buy it and take the time to listen ... REALLY listen to it and experience it.

One of my favorite albums of all time probably. The vocalists are ridiculously talented and the music is modern and edgy yet still beautiful. "Querer" (Track 4) is hypnotic, and Francesca Gagnon (the vocalist) manages to impart so much emotion and pure sex into it that it will probably still be one of my favorite songs when I'm 80 years old. That's what this music is--transcendent to time.

most definetly if you liked the show... this disc is a must! and not to be missed, this has to be on your collection

I love the performance and so when the CD came in the mail I started listening to it right away. I love it. This album has some of the most amazing music ever.

After seeing Alegria in person, I just had to have the soundtrack. What a wonderful CD! The music, lyrics and singing take you to another world. I love listening to it especially at night while I go to bed. It's very relaxing. I also like the fact that the songs are all in different languages. I can't wait to get another Cirque CD if they are all this good.

The music of Cirque du Soleil's Alegria has always been one of my favorites. With soaring operatic vocals and breathtaking songs that range from traditional to new age, Alegria injects drama and passion into every note.

Alegria was composed by Rene Dupere, who has written other Cirque scores. Each song carries the beauty and drama of the world of Alegria, where the old and the new collide in a castle inhabited by strange creatures. The music is led by soprano Francesca Gagnon, arguably the most talented Cirque singer ever, whose vocal acrobatics never cease to astound with their range, passion and drive to make listeners feel genuine joy. Songs are sung in the signature "Cirquish" as well as Spanish, English and other romance languages with a heavy emphasis on a European flair. Accordion is also really heavy on the soundtrack (which I'm surprised I like so much) along with violin and keyboards.

CD highlights include the acrobatic-feeling "Irna," the dramatic "Icare" and of course, the title song "Alegria," which features English lyrics and always manages to fill me with joy, passion and contentment. While the music was composed in the early 90s, it still stands up to modern sounds while still lending a traditional, but not antiquated, European flavor that reminds listeners of old monarchies and new beginnings.

Easily one of the strongest entries into the Cirque library, Alegria overflows with passion, drama, joy and human redemption. If you only buy one Cirque CD, I suggest you buy this one.