Sound of hoofs

Cavalia is a multimedia spectacle which combines equestrian arts, dramatic visual effects, live music, dance and acrobatics.[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Cavalia, which combines horses, riders, acrobats and musicians in a multimedia spectacle, is set to unveil in Beijing this week. Chen Nan reports.

On a recent afternoon in downtown Beijing's Chaoyang Park, Canadian choreographer Alain Gauthier finishes a preview performance of Cavalia and takes a break.

He says he has been doing shows since the age of 15, and is "approaching" 45 now.

"Cavalia is special to me. I feel grateful to have it in my life," says the artist, looking at two Spanish horses near him.

At a distance from them, a stage is covered in sand and has a giant digital screen behind it.

With dozens of horses, riders, acrobats, dancers and musicians, Gauthier is here with his multimedia spectacle, Cavalia, which will debut in Beijing on Thursday.

At the outdoor venue, a white tent known as the "big top", covering more than 2,000 square meters is pitched at a height of 35 meters. It is part of the show.

Created by one of the co-founders of Canadian company Cirque du Soleil, Normand Latourelle, Cavalia, which combines equestrian arts, dramatic visual effects, live music, dance and acrobatics, debuted in Quebec in 2003, touring the world since. It has been watched by an estimated 6 million people, according to Latourelle.

In 2003, Latourelle floated a new company, Cavalia Inc, to host the show worldwide.

Cavalia follows a storyline about the evolution of the horse and its important place in human history.

Gauthier says the process of training horses also reflects the relationship between horses and people.