VOA标准英语2009年-Cavalia Highlights Power, Beauty of the Ho

By Breshna Omarkhel/Penelope Poulou
Washington
27 October 2009

 
Cavalia
A show that has charmed millions of people in other parts of the world is now playing in the United States. What makes Cavalia special is that the stars are horses, riders and acrobats¹ who combine to create a visual extravaganza.

Getting up to speed is no problem for the human and equine performers in Cavalia. The show is staged in the largest tent in North America, a space big enough to allow the horses to gallop² and the acrobats to fly through the air. They are so graceful³, it seems like a dream.

 
Normand LaTourelle
Normand LaTourelle, a Canadian who helped form the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil acrobatic team, is the artistic⁴ director.

"I was inspired by the history of the horse, which is almost the history of the world," he said. "Everywhere you see a hoofprint of a horse on the sand, you see a step of man on the side. We have been with these animals for so long. I wanted to do a tribute for what they have done for us. The tent holds 2,000 people and we're doing amazing numbers [business] everywhere. We have sold so far 2.5 million tickets. Because we work with horses, we get more intimate - you feel [closer to] the performers."

The equestrian⁵ and acrobatic performances reflect strength and beauty working together.

The Cavalia troupe⁶, shown here performing in Washington, was formed several years ago. It comes from Quebec in Canada and brings together dozens of acrobats, riders and musicians from many countries.

The horses are all stallions or geldings, mainly European breeds bred for obedience⁷ and strength. It can take six months to 10 years to train individual animals. The riders face special challenges. Performer Jessy Lucavo explains.

 
Jessy Lucavo
"Most of our artists are, of course, our horses, and they have minds of their own," he said. "We try to make everything look like everything is under control here, but there are times when these horses take over and our job is to make it look as beautiful as possible and work with the animal. We have to work with what they are willing to give us."

Some of the show's acts happen in a blur⁸. There is even a kind of horse ballet showing off their graceful and fluid natural movement when they move completely at freedom, with only discreet⁹ cues from their human handler. Rider Landon Spencer says no two performances are exactly alike.

"They are not machines. They are live animals. They respond differently every day. They have moods, just like we have moods, and so it is a constant challenge to relate to them," he said.

The show is now in Atlanta.

1 acrobats   

n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 )；立场观点善变的人，主张、政见等变化无常的人

参考例句：

• I was always fascinated by the acrobats at the circus. 我总是着迷于马戏团里的杂技演员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The acrobats' performance drew forth applause from the audience. 杂技演员的表演博得了观众的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 gallop   

v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展

参考例句：

• They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。
• The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。

3 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

4 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

5 equestrian   

adj.骑马的；n.马术

参考例句：

• They all showed extraordinary equestrian skills.他们的骑术都很高超。
• I want to book two equestrian tickets.我想订两张马术比赛的票。

6 troupe   

n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团

参考例句：

• The art troupe is always on the move in frontier guards.文工团常年在边防部队流动。
• The troupe produced a new play last night.剧团昨晚上演了一部新剧。

7 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。

8 blur   

n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚

参考例句：

• The houses appeared as a blur in the mist.房子在薄雾中隐隐约约看不清。
• If you move your eyes and your head,the picture will blur.如果你的眼睛或头动了，图像就会变得模糊不清。

9 discreet   

adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的

参考例句：

• He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
• It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。