It has been described as the modern circus, and focuses upon a storyline as well as amazing performances. It has several resident and touring troupes and draws heavily from the circus tradition. Emphasizing the use of humans as performers, Cirque du Soleil does not make use of animals. Instead, its performances combine elements of street performances and busking, circus, opera, ballet, and rock music. Acts include contortionists, jugglers, feats of strength, clowning, and trapeze artists. Their costumes are very colorful and creative, setting a festive and lively atmosphere. Also, Cirque shows do not use pre-recorded music; all music is played live.
Cirque shows begin as a creative concept, usually with elements of a central story line, a design concept and the selection of a composer for the music. These elements remain relatively constant throughout the production run of a given show.
However, the shows also include both "house" and "guest" acts. House acts are performed by the full-time cast members, some whom may be involved in several routines. Not all prepared routines are presented in every performance. Guest acts rotate in and out over the run of the show (clowns are typically guest acts). As a result, Cirque shows can vary somewhat performance to performance, and shows tend to evolve over time.
Cirque creators borrow from some of circus's earliest forms (for example, banquine and teeterboard acts) but also regularly introduce new apparatus. For example, Cirque introduced the use of bungie cords to aerial acts and created a modified tumbling trampoline called a Power Track, both of which have since been adopted by other circuses.
Cirque du Soleil recruits acts from different world circuses, including from China and Russia, blending them into their own style.
Among veteran circus performers, Cirque is regarded as one of the world's best circuses, due to higher than normal pay scales and benefits.
Cirque du Soleil has produced a number of performance DVDs and soundtrack CDs.
The troupe was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Méditation
Cirque Du Soleil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An insatiable, all-consuming fire.
A lion pacing on the red hot embers of desire.
Love is a thirst that's never quenched,
A sacred flame that can't be drenched
By icy showers of sobriety
Or a society
Strangled by notions of propriety.
So what kind of love is this,
This love that dares not speak its name?
This love that hangs its head in shame?
Is this so-called love even worthy of its name?
True love doesn't lie,
It doesn't hide,
And it will never be denied
The right to sing its furious song
In the sad, empty streets from dusk 'til dawn.
Love laughs at fear
And cries out its name for all to hear.
Love is beautiful,
Fierce, and loud.
But most of all,
Love is PROUD!
The song "Meditation" by Cirque du Soleil is a celebration of love in all its forms. It presents love as a powerful, all-consuming force that cannot be denied or suppressed, and encourages listeners to embrace their feelings and express them boldly and proudly. The lyrics begin with a description of love as a beautiful, fierce, and strong fire, a lion pacing on the red hot embers of desire. It is portrayed as an insatiable thirst that can never be quenched, a sacred flame that cannot be extinguished by society's expectations or conventions.
The song then questions the nature of a love that dares not speak its name, that hangs its head in shame and is afraid to be seen or heard. The lyrics suggest that true love cannot be hidden or denied, that it will always find a way to express itself and be heard. Love is not something that can be silenced or suppressed, but a force that cries out its name for all to hear.
In the end, the song celebrates the beauty and power of love, in all its forms. It encourages listeners to embrace their feelings, to express them boldly and without shame, and to know that love is something to be celebrated and cherished.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is beautiful, fierce, and strong.
Love is a force that is winsome, powerful, and resolute.
An insatiable, all-consuming fire.
It's a passion that is intense and voracious in nature.
A lion pacing on the red hot embers of desire.
It is teeming with vigor, much like the pacing of a predator over a bed of hot coals, igniting ardent yearning.
Love is a thirst that's never quenched,
Love is a desire that continues to linger, never fully satisfied or gratified.
A sacred flame that can't be drenched
Love is held in high regard and can never be entirely extinguished.
By icy showers of sobriety
It can't be put out by reason or the practical matters of life.
Or a society
It's unaffected by the rules and expectations of the community.
Strangled by notions of propriety.
Societal conventions don't prevent its growth, unlike the attempt to strangle or restrain it using propriety.
So what kind of love is this,
What is the nature of this love?
This love that dares not speak its name?
Why is this love not acknowledged openly?
This love that hangs its head in shame?
This love struggles with being uncomfortable and ashamed of itself.
Is this so-called love even worthy of its name?
Can this love even be called true love?
True love doesn't lie,
True love is honest.
It doesn't hide,
It isn't concealed.
And it will never be denied
It can't be overlooked by anyone.
The right to sing its furious song
The freedom to express itself, whether passionately or dangerously.
In the sad, empty streets from dusk 'til dawn.
It won't be silenced or contained, it can be heard on the desolate roads, into the early morning.
Love laughs at fear
Love is fearless.
And cries out its name for all to hear.
Love is brave and cries out loudly for the world to hear, refusing to be silenced.
Love is beautiful,
Love is enchanting.
Fierce, and loud.
It is powerful and boisterous.
But most of all,
Above all else,
Love is PROUD!
The love that the song portrays is proud of who it loves, that it is brave, and that it stands up for itself.
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.