An anniversary tribute to the sophisticated circus extravaganza shares the story of founder Guy Lalibert , charts its rise from a humble performing group to international success, and features color photographs of each production including Saltimbanco, Myst re, Varekai, and "O." 25,000 first printin
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In 1984, native Quebecois Guy Laliberté decided to turn his annual street performance festival into a traveling troupe. Though the troupe originally planned to perform for only one year as part of the 450th anniversary celebration of French explorer Jacques Cartier’s discovery of Canada, it took on a life of its own and has since drawn crowds in major cities all over the world. It’s hard to imagine that a company known for its amazing acrobatics and pyrotechnics started out as a loose band of stilt-walkers and fire-breathers, but this elaborate retrospective has the pictures to prove it, as well as interviews offering insight into the exotic world under the big top. The book traces Cirque du Soleil’s history in almost excessive detail; the first section, in particular, is an exhaustive record of all the work it took to get the project going. The chapters that follow describe, largely in the words of company members, each show Cirque du Soleil has produced, from the concepts that inspired them to the props used in their realization. In a chapter on the production of "Quidam," for instance, director Franco Dragone talks about how he wanted "to move away from the more fantastic textures of Cirque’s previous shows... and get back to the feeling of uncertainty and danger" that once motivated the troupe, and costume designer Dominque Lemieux discusses the influence that artists Delveaux and Magritte had on her designs. The photos are brilliant, capturing both the inner-workings of the various troupes and the grandeur and mystique of the performances themselves. Though still pictures and text will never match the magic of a live show, this is a fascinating look at a group that has captured imaginations around the world.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–From one man on stilts walking 56 miles in 22 hours to gain a little attention to an international entertainment corporation with nearly a dozen shows running concurrently around the globe, the history of Cirque du Soleil is one of the brightest chapters in the chronicle of 20th-century entertainment. The story begins with a ragtag coterie of young street performers in Quebec province that, after a shaky start, achieves worldwide admiration and success. The driving force behind this inspiring tale is former fire-breather Guy Laliberte, whose rare ability to balance creativity and business has guided the fast-growing enterprise in ways that please the eyes and ears of the artist as well as the bottom-line concerns of the banker. This hefty volume is worthy of its exhilarating subject. Cirque du Soleil is part circus, part theater, part dance, and 100 percent exotic entertainment. Colorful, amazing, dramatic, and thrilling are a few of the words on the lips of those leaving a performance. And these words are equally appropriate when describing this book's design and execution. The color photos are plentiful and captivating, the drawings enchanting, and the text illuminating. The book is a masterful representation of the first 20 years of a masterful entertainment company. It will be appreciated wherever the circus is loved, which is just about everywhere.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kind of like a yearbook,
This review is from: Cirque Du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun - An Authorized History (Hardcover)
Have seen 8 or 9 different Cirque shows. Even met their talent scout at the Fringe one year. Part of this book tells the history of Cirque du Soleil, which was very interesting. The part on the individual shows was more like a yearbook. Didn't tell you enough about each individual show but supplied a lot of prompts to help you remember the show. Good coffee table book.
First saw the book at a Cirque show and thought: 'Hmmm, I could probably save some $$ getting this on Amazon.' Saved $20 U.S. and bought a couple of CDs.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for Cirque Buffs,
By Carsten Cumbrowski "Carsten aka Roy/SAC & Cir... (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cirque Du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun - An Authorized History (Hardcover)
Cirque Du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun - An Authorized History - my first product review video.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five star for the circus!,
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This review is from: Cirque Du Soleil: 20 Years Under the Sun - An Authorized History (Hardcover)
This book does justice to the business side, the art side, and the spaces of fusion that led all involved in to a co-created experience for all. I find the images very inspiring and love reading the behind the scenes tidbits. I keep it around to remind be what dreamers can do and how much we need it.
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