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25 May 2024 Genève (Geneva) (Switzerland)
Festival Charlie Chaplin The Circus
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by Philippe Béran - Bâtiment des Forces Motrices
Program Info: Charles Chaplin - The Circus
"Charles Chaplin's last silent film, more bitter in tone than the previous works, but full of humanity and poetry. Circus is a masterpiece, full of grotesque ingenuity, delicious ideas and clear, sharp images. Charlie sometimes looks like he's tired of the world. But as soon as he presses the forbidden buttons and drives the birds, pigs, rabbits and balloons into freedom, his face lights up with joy.” (Deutsches Filminstitut – DIF)
On the music: "In the late 1960s, after years of trying to forget this film, Chaplin returned to The Circus to be reissued with new music of his own composition. He even composed the title song, "Swing Little Girl," to be sung during the opening credits. A professional singer was hired to do it, but musical director Eric James found that Chaplin himself could sing the song much better. That's why he was persuaded - he was already 79 years old - to record the song. This seemed to symbolize Chaplin's reconciliation with the film that had caused him so much excitement." (David Robinson) The vaudeville-style orchestral music reflects Charlie Chaplin's biographical background - growing up in the world of circus and variety shows. There are subtle but distinct differences in the way Chaplin musically approaches each circus act. While a march accompanies the acrobat, Chaplin places a light waltz for his vagabond's tightrope act, which does not indicate the danger at dizzy heights.
Charlie the Tramp finds work at the circus and the girl of his dreams. While fleeing the police, who mistake him for a pickpocket, Charlie ends up in a circus arena. The audience thinks Charlie's attempts to elude the police are a new circus act, and they're enthralled. The ringmaster hires him on the spot, but soon realises that Charlie can't be funny on command. So the director arranges that Charlie "accidentally" attends every performance. Not realizing he's being taken advantage of, Charlie falls in love with the principal's daughter. His chances with the pretty acrobat are good. At least until a competitor shows up...
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