A Salvador Dali painting brought to life. Exquisite. Ethereal. Unreal.
Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at Bellagio is unforgettable, and infinitely elusive to describe.
A rumored $125M production budget. 6 months of intensive on-site show development. 1.5M gallons of water. One incredible experience.
Working with Signal Perfection Limited, in 1998 I commissioned the sound, video, and communications systems in the “O” showroom. Designed by Jonathan Deans, the audio system creates the ambient atmospheres of this masterpiece show.
In 2003, Cirque & Bellagio invited me back to coordinate the integration and installation of a complete new audio mixing system, and mix position. Working with audio head Mark Dennis and his super-pro crew, we planned and executed open-heart surgery on the audio system without affecting two nightly performances.
The new mix system, a Level Control Systems CueConsole, allows exquisite precision and detail in the creation of the soundscapes of the show. Though the shows already consistently sold-out, a major factor in the decision to make this delicate upgrade was LCS’s VRAS technology. VRAS electro-acoustically deepens the sense of intimacy between the audience and the performers.
This project highlights two factors of Cirque’s success.
First, everything Cirque does is about creating deep human connection. The technology heightens the experience for the audience and the performers, it doesn’t compete. Fundamentally, Cirque inspires people to believe in the human spirit and impulse to soar and to share. Like real human relationships, they never stop deepening the connection. Some might argue, 'Why upgrade, the show already sells out.' Because they never stop investing in enriching the experience for cast, crew, and audience, Cirque du Soleil continues to be the highest-grossing privately held entertainment company in the world.
Second, Cirque du Soleil embodies practiced mastery. Performers practice their art and their acts devoutly. Engineers and artisans practice their craft precisely. The Cirque never rests. Every person, every element, every department, every show continually practices, improving, deepening, mastering, inspiring.
