Vizorek’s “Carnival of the Animals” Roars with Laughter in Cannes
Cannes, france – Comedian Alex Vizorek’s unique take on Camille Saint-Saëns‘ “Carnival of the Animals” captivated audiences in Cannes, blending witty narration with a live orchestral performance from musicians largely comprised of professors at the local conservatory. The show,described as “a Carnival which is not from Rio,but that of animals,” delighted attendees with its playful subversion of expectations and generous humor.
Vizorek’s performance featured a lion boasting a regal ego (“the State is me,” he reportedly roars), hens playfully reversing roles with roosters, and birds ironically naming themselves. The production wasn’t without its dramatic moments; a clarinetist famously walked off stage mid-performance after Vizorek critiqued the instrument’s suitability for portraying an elephant.However, the disagreement was quickly resolved, with the clarinetist ultimately delivering a virtuoso performance during the euphoric finale.
Musical highlights included a double bass effectively embodying an elephant, a cello bringing Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan” to life with “poetry and tenderness” under the musical direction of Axel de Jenlis, and expressive renditions of “The Turtles” and “Aquarium,” a piece well-known to Cannes audiences. A xylophone performance, described as having “wolfish hunger,” also contributed to the lively atmosphere.
Prior to the “Fossils” segment, a duo of pianists playfully pretended to be beginners, practicing scales.Live illustrations by Karo Pauwels further enhanced the experience, resonating with an audience “invigorated by this joyful Carnaval.”
The performance concluded with a standing ovation, celebrating Vizorek, the musicians, and Pauwels. A previous article on Classykeo.com lauded Vizorek as a “master enchanter” in this rendition of the classic work.
