The ever evolving Cavalia: ODYSSEO
Odysseo is a gorgeous collection of equestrian arts and strong acrobatic performances brought together under the artistic direction of Normand Latourelle. The show can be caught from April 8th to May 10th under “The Big White Top”, 383 Lakeshore Blvd East.
Latourelle is the creative genius who pioneered Cirque du Soleil, the Light and Sound Show on Parliament Hill, the 350th anniversary celebrations of Montreal and has received the Ordre de Nationale du Quebec for these achievements. His latest project leaves you enamoured with stunning visuals as the show explores the relationship between horses and man over time.
There is no plot line, but a journey that takes you to places, with each scene representing the African Savannah, Mongolian Steppes, The Sahara and Easter Island to name a few. The show features an African troupe adding even more energy as horse riders perform tricks, mesmerizing the audience. Claudia Paganelli brings depth to the music as the main vocalist. Each scene is a standout, nothing is subpar, including one where horse trainer/performer, Elise Verdoncq performs a liberty scene with twelve arabian horses answering to her voice and body language freely. It was very serene to watch. In another, a horse carousel comes down, showing off an intricately choreographed fusion of acrobatics, ballet and contemporary dance. Its breathtaking to watch all the detail poured into the colourful mosaic that each dancer contributes. Odysseo is grand with about 70 horses and 45 performers bringing it to life, but its multidimensional scenery is brought to you by a cyclorama the size of 3 IMAX screens and 18 powerful projectors. Its impressive to see such a feat as Cavalia evolve into Odysseo, making fans look forward to see what Latourelle has in store as he evolves the show even more in the future. We also caught up with Elise Verdoncq and how she became involved in this production.
How did you get involved with Odysseo?
I got involved with Odysseo because I was already involved with Cavalia, they decided to invite to do a liberty part, bigger than what I was doing. So I said yes, sure!
What do you mean by liberty part?
It’s when I get the twelve arabians completely free around me, answering my voice and body language.
How do the horses train and prepare for that?
I train horses one by one first to get used to me, my movement, my voice, to get used to the way I move around them. Then I code with one movement and one word the way I want the horses to move or to listen to me. After that I put two horses together, then three, then twelve.
Do you ever get nervous when your about to perform?
I’m never nervous because I know my horses enough and I know we’re just there to have fun. We have to work and get results, but sometimes they don’t want to work and they’re going to have too much energy or they want to play, that’s the game. That’s part of it and that’s when its fun. Every time I go on stage I’m coming to play with my horses and see what’s going to happen. I never know.
What would you like the audience to take away from the show?
I hope they enjoy a show with horses who get to actually be horses that are free and not in a place where they are forced to do it. We are a place where horses are to be horses and have fun on stage.
