How far back can a body bend before a bone breaks? For an acrobat, it may be much farther than most people can imagine. How high can a stack of chairs go while a person balances on top? Audiences at the final spring production of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-2011 season had a chance to witness the amazing feats of the Peking Acrobats on their tour of North America. With feats of balance and agility, accompanied by both western and Chinese music, the show was one that the audiences are likely to remember for a long time to come.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Music
According to its mission statement given on the official website, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s goal is to provide excellent musical experiences for the people of Manitoba. With more than eighty concerts per year and a wide repertoire including classical compositions, popular music, family-oriented pieces, an annual free concert in one of the city’s parks, as well as educational programs and more, the concerts appeal to a wide variety of interests. Every year, the orchestra tours the cities and towns of Manitoba, including Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, and Morden, as well as hosting guests from around the world. The performance of the Peking Acrobats was a fitting end for the season, with its high quality, international flavor, and appeal to people of all ages.
The History and Performances of the Peking Acrobats
Touring the world and giving performances is part of what the members of the Peking Acrobats do, according to the Peking Acrobats page on the SRO Artists’ website. Since the group was formed in 1958, the acrobats have traveled the world, performing a variety of feats for many different audiences, including juggling, balancing acts including the spectacularly tall Tower of Chairs, tumbling, and other acts. A comic character is even part of the show, getting laughs from the audience despite the language barrier.
Watching the acrobats bend backwards until their faces appeared between their legs and seeing how many people can ride on a single bicycle is all part of a cultural experience for audiences. As the Peking Acrobats web page states, the art of acrobatics goes back two thousand years to a combination of a number of athletic disciplines. The resulting display was something that many people in the North American audiences had likely never seen before, accompanied by some familiar western pieces such as Ravel’s Bolero, as well as Chinese music played on traditional instruments from that country.
Together, the music and acrobatics gave the audience a chance to see, not only great physical dexterity, but a combination of culture and dedication to an ancient tradition that continues to amaze audiences in Canada and around the world.
Sources:
- SRO Artists. “Peking Acrobats.”
- Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. “About: Mission Statement.”
Susan Huebert - My name is Susan Huebert, and I'm a writer and editor from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I've always enjoyed words, and I graduated with a Bachelor ...
