{No compensation was received for this post. Media tickets provided}
The relationship between horse and man can be traced back to ancient history, where the two have traversed the continent, uniting cultures and facilitating the advancement of civilization. As primitive as this relationship is, there is a beautiful symbiosis, perhaps most prominent during the Liberty act in Odysseo by Cavalia, where a single trainer directs a group of purebred Arabian horses with soft murmurs and subtle gestures.
Odysseo by Cavalia is the largest touring show on the planet, and it’s debut in Orange County is captivating audiences in an exquisite, sometimes heart-dropping celebration of the extraordinary relationship between horse and man. Unlike any show you’ve every seen, Odysseo features acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians, riders and 11 different breeds of horses that span the globe.
I saw a smaller version of the show a few years ago in Burbank and was completely moved by the graceful wonder of these animals. The show has already been extended until March 13th, 2016 and tickets are currently available online and on Goldstar.com. In honor of the show’s return to Irvine, here are 10 things you didn’t know about Odysseo by Cavalia.
*Note* Spoilers ahead.
- Odysseo by Cavalia features 65 horses encompassing 11 different breeds including Arabian, Australian Stock Horse, Holsteiner, Lipizzan, Lusitano, Mustang, Paint Horse, Quarter Horse, Selle Français, Spanish Purebred (P.R.E.) and Warmblood.
- Each horse performs for approximately 12 minutes while the rest of their day is spent warming up, recouping, grooming and playing. The team that cares for the horses includes trainers, a veterinarian, health technicians and grooms.
- Horse training can take six months to ten years and is based on communication, observation and patience as well as a keen understanding of each horse’s talents and needs. There is mutual respect, kindness and trust between horse and trainer.
- The stage spans 17,500 square feet and includes a hill that rises 3 stories tall. 10,000 tons of rock, earth and sand are brought in and sculpted to create the vast space where horse and man come together.
- During the Carosello act, a full-sized merry-go-round is suspended from the ceiling, rotating as artists defy gravity. Supported by a technical grid, this stage is commensurate with theaters in New York and London.
- Odysseo fuses a variety of art forms, weaving in technology to transport audiences to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. To do this, these backdrops are projected onto an 8,400 square foot cyclorama which is three times the size of the largest cinema screens with projects as powerful as those that illuminate the most spectacular movie theaters. Further revolutionizing live entertainment, the show uses 18 projectors simultaneously, compared to the traditional sole projector used in cinemas.
- During the finale, the stage instantaneously fills with 40,000 gallons of water, creating a beautiful lake for horse and rider to frolic.
- Standing at 125 feet tall, Odysseo’s Big Top is the size of an NFL football field. Additionally, a 50-foot wide backstage area offers an expansive playground for 30 horses.
- Odysseo features live performances from 45 artists including riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians from the US, Canada, Brazil, France, Guinea, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, Japan, Italy and Australia.
- The show features 350 costumes and 100 pairs of shoes/boots and artists may have up to 7 different costume changes with no more than 30 seconds in between each change.
For more information about Odysseo by Cavalia, visit Cavalia.net.
Images: Cavalia
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
Leave a Reply