With DELIRIUM, for the first time in its production history, Cirque du Soleil puts music front and center. The songs, the musicians and the singers are the driving force behind this one-of-a-kind tour.
TOP 20
To select the 20 songs, a committee of 11 Cirque du Soleil directors and creative minds was convened. They each compiled a list of their top songs from Cirque du Soleil's musical catalogue of over 500 songs. From those, with the collaboration of musical director, producer and arranger Francis Collard and musical content associate producer Ian Tremblay, a final list of music was established.
THE MUSIC OF DELIRIUM
When the idea of a show centered upon Cirque du Soleil music came to Guy Laliberté, he immediately thought 'urban tribal beat'. Those three words have inspired each member of the creative team. 'Urban' reflects the society in which we live: modern, chaotic and ever-evolving. 'Tribal' constitutes the idea of coming together, the hope of escaping one's solitary cocoon and living a powerful collective experience. 'Beat' is sound and movement, the incessant rhythm that unites space, individual and society.
As musical director, producer and arranger of DELIRIUM, Francis Collard's principle challenge was to bring a fresh perspective to these 20 Cirque du Soleil hits. In his words, he 'sought to explore elements of surprise in Cirque du Soleil music, to highlight the lyrical and melodic intrigue within the music.'
The result is a mix of percussive driven pop and electronic music meet melodious ballad and world rhythm sounds.
It is precisely this diverse stream of influences that distinguishes the music of DELIRIUM from Cirque du Soleil's double album Solarium/Delirium. Solarium is an ambient remix of relaxing sounds in contrast to Delirium, which is a more percussive and dance oriented CD. The music in the DELIRIUM tour is decisively narrative in nature, with highly dramatic variations that flow in perfect sync with the event's visual elements.
THE MUSICIANS AND SINGERS
DELIRIUM unites a diversified group of musicians and vocalists charged with the live performance of this re-energized Cirque du Soleil music.
Amongst this distinguished group are:
Ric'key Pageot
Ric'key Pageot is DELIRIUM's band leader and plays keyboard.
He is an accomplished pianist, producer, composer and musical director whose career began at an early age. He has performed with such illustrious artists as Monica Freire, Paulo Ramos and Corneille and opened shows for Brian McKnight and Cesaria Evora. For the past two years, Ric'key has been managing, producing and collaborating with Montreal singing sensation Dessy Di Lauro, whose first single 'When You Need Me' is enjoying radio success in Canada, USA, Europe, South America and Asia.
Raffaele Artiglieri
Raphael Artiglieri's is a multi-instrumentalist whose background is deeply rooted in the evolution and history of Afro-Latin percussions and the dances that accompany them. Born in Italy , he has traveled the world learning, coaching and performing percussive arts. His role in DELIRIUM spans from assisting with percussive arrangements to coaching the acrobatic dancers in percussion and movement. In the show, Raphael plays a variety of indigenous Brazilian drums called the batucadas, on which he will be joined by 30 players trained by him.
Dessy Di Lauro
Dessy Di Lauro is a Montreal born Brazilian Italo-Cuban singer and songwriter with a sultry and soulful voice. For three years, she performed in Cirque du Soleil's production of La Nouba in Florida . Furthermore, she has performed at numerous prestigious events, including the 25 th anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the opening ceremonies of the FINA World Swimming Championships. Amongst many others, Dessy Di Lauro has sung for bands that have opened for the likes of James Brown's saxophonist, Maceo Parker and Mary J. Blige. As well, she has sung back-up vocals for Patti Labelle, The Neville Brothers and Ann Peebles.
Diouf
Diouf is comprised of two Senegalese brothers, Pape Abdou Karim and El Hadji Fall Diouf. Their music is an explosive brew of sensual West African rhythms and North American flair, a sound that reaches deep into human being's primal need for movement and dance. The Diouf brothers have performed with the likes of Bobby McFerrin, Baaba Maal and a variety of top-notch Quebec artists. Fresh out of the studio with the release of their first record, Dund, the energy they infuse into DELERIUM is irrepressibly contagious.
Amanda Stott
Hailing from the Canadian Prairies, this young singer with a pristine voice sings from the heart. Her latest CD Chasing the Sky has garnered tremendous commercial success on the international music scene with hits such as My Real Life and Homeless Heart. The young pop diva also has the courage of her convictions and she loves to sing for a cause she believes in. Amanda has performed all over the world, including Afghanistan and Bosnia where she sang to entertain the peacekeeping troops. As Bill's great love in Delirium, she commands the stage with both strength and fragility, driven by her melodious voice.
