Virtuosity and the Circus Arena
Virtuosity and the Circus Arena

Summary/Abstract: In the field of musical performance virtuosity is traditionally defined as an extraordinarily high level of technical mastery. Not surprisingly, it is associated with the demonstration of dazzling feats of skill way above the level of an aver-age performer. However, this has also become the reason for it to be sometimes regarded less as a plus and more as a minus. Although skill itself is a good thing, virtuoso performers have on occasion been criticized for not focusing enough on substance in favour of pursuing empty showmanship and some sort of musical “acrobatics”. Understandably, this has been the cause of much debate, but the issue has received little consideration in light of the specificities of virtuoso playing on the circus arena. This article traces the convoluted ramifications of these problem-atics in historical context endeavouring to elucidate the complexity of attitudes towards virtuosity and then explore the intricate ways in which performing on circus “scene” legitimizes it.

• Details
• Contents