30 Years in 75 Minutes: A Look at Cirque du Soleil’s Special Musical Event

By Christine DeNering, program manager, Global Experiential Marketing

I’ve always been a concert fanatic. There’s just something about live music. It gets your adrenaline pumping. It energizes your soul. It consumes you.

So when our partner Cirque du Soleil approached us with the unique opportunity to sponsor their first- and limited-time musical event in honor of their 30-year history, my colleagues and I were thrilled. Not only because we had no doubt that this concert would be an extraordinary, elegant, and unexpected experience, but also because it made so much sense. That’s because we at Xerox wrapped up our own anniversary celebrations, so it was our pleasure to help Cirque du Soleil celebrate its many years of innovation and reinvention.

The CONCERT

Since its founding in 1984, music has formed an integral part of the identity of the Canadian entertainment company, which is renowned for exhilarating stunts and high performance. Although it cannot be seen, music conveys the emotion from the stage into the spectators’ hearts. And if you’ve ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show, you know what I mean when I say their music is incredibly beautiful and enchanting. (When your husband listens to “Alegria” while driving down the road in his pickup truck for weeks after seeing the show, you know it was good.)

So in order to pay tribute to the music of Cirque du Soleil over the past 30 years, they created The 30th Anniversary CONCERT. Surrounded by the splendor of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Montreal, it featured songs from the 35 shows  that they created over the past 30 years. The music was performed by a choir of 70 voices and 8 soloists, accompanied by 28 musicians. And while the music was the star of the show, it would not be complete without a storyline and a few Cirque du Soleil characters who have been a part of so many imaginary worlds for over 30 years.

Hear from Cirque du Soleil’s Gilles Ste-Croix, 30th Ambassador and Grand Saltimbanque, and Alain Vinet, Musical Director and Arranger, on what inspired their 30th Anniversary Concert.

Rhapsody of Dreams in 4 Beats

Understanding that The CONCERT would only be showing for a limited time in one city, we wanted to come up with a way for Cirque du Soleil and Xerox fans, employees and customers all over the world to enjoy it.

Introducing “Rhapsody of Dreams in 4 Beats,” a four-part video series that takes you behind the scenes of the concert—from its conception and setting, to rehearsals and opening night.

30 years of Cirque du Soleil music in one spectacular night. Watch as 70 voices, 8 soloists and 28 musicians take the stage.

We hope you enjoy the series as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you. And once again, happy 30th anniversary to our fantastic partner Cirque du Soleil! While we keep their business moving backstage, they can focus on moving hearts and minds. And they never fail to do so.

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