Go behind the scenes of “O” by Cirque du Soleil with Bruno Dumont, Musical Director at the Bellagio, as he walks me through the incredible system he uses to direct the show’s live music every night. Bruno shows me his keyboard station, communication setup, monitors, foot pedals, sound effects, backup systems, and the technology that keeps the musicians perfectly connected to the action on stage.
Bruno breaks down how the musicians adapt in real time when performers need an extra moment, how he cues players across the theater, manages latency between the stage and audience, and improvises transitions when no two performances are exactly the same. He also shows off some of the instruments he plays during the show, including vintage saxophones, and explains why redundancy is so important in a production where the music can never stop.
Featuring:
Bruno Dumont – Musical Director, “O” by Cirque du Soleil
0:00 Meet Bruno Dumont
0:32 How the Band Is Connected
2:40 Every Show Is Different
3:48 Bruno’s Keyboard & Sound Effects
4:31 Timing Sound With the Stage
7:14 How Bruno Directs the Show Live
7:57 The Foot Pedal Setup
10:47 Gigantic Red Button
11:50 Keeping the Entire Band in Sync
12:10 Bruno’s Vintage Saxophones
13:10 The Band Plays Live
14:07 What Makes Cirque du Soleil Special
More about me:
This video series grew out of my Webby and Ambie Award-winning podcast, Twenty Thousand Hertz, where we’ve spent a decade uncovering the stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds.
Listen wherever you get podcasts, or start here:
This series is a passion project from my sound agency, Defacto Sound. We produce, mix, and fund these stories through our client work in post-production sound for trailers, ads, TV, film, YouTube, museums, immersive experiences, and more, including work for Netflix, Disney, HBO, global agencies, premium brands, cultural institutions, and thoughtful creators.
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Camera: DJI Osmo Action 6
Mic: DJI Mic 2
Handle: DJI Osmo Action Multifunctional Charging Handle
Edited in DaVinci Resolve
Mixed in Pro Tools by Defacto Sound
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I want this gig!
Damn. It's already a feat to master ONE instrument; but to manage multiple instruments AND multiple musicians AND multiple scenes and actions AND multiple camera angles must at least top that.
This man isn't paid enough. whatever his pay is, it's not enough.
Wow Bruno, what an awesome performance and display! Your life is literally my dream! So incredibly proud of you, my friend. Let's catch up soon! Keep shining until then.
Amazing, thank you!
THANK YOU for this: Cirque is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of live production design and execution. It's INSANE to me, and also totally unsurprising, that the musical side of the production is as much a real-time high-wire act as the stage show. The level of responsibility and demand that is placed upon these musicians is out of control. The part about "oh sometimes we have to stretch a little bit because the trapeze artist needs another swing to get enough momentum" was jaw-dropping to me. THAT'S having a commitment to your fellow performers. This is the definition of "world class" to me: absolutely the best around.
Bruno is DA MAN!
Is that Tim Sellers on drums?
Wow quel travail incroyable! Quel bureau! Un génie!
Yessss more Cirque du Soleil stuff!!! I loved your previous videos with them, thank you!!
Aşırı Profesyonel ve Aşırı Sanatçı. Çok Acayip.
Bruno is such a character very talented he did a great job breaking down this set up. Thanks for another great video. back in 2005 this was my very 1st Cirque show and it was amazing and still my favorite Cirque show in Vegas.
❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💐💐💐❤💜💜💙💙💙💜
I have had the pleasure of working with some phenomenal music teams during my time in theatre, but this is on another level. The combination of technology and musicianship here is staggering. Thanks for showing this to us.
Bruno, I’ve known you for years, but I honestly had no idea just how much goes on behind the scenes of what you do! Watching you coordinate the music, follow the performers, play multiple instruments, and somehow keep everything running in real time was fascinating. So much talent and skill behind the magic of O.
My favorite part was hearing you talk about why you love being part of O — giving people a chance to forget their worries for a while and just be happy. That part really stayed with me. ❤
THIS GUY IS A CERTIFIED GANGSTER
7:41 love to see max 4 live
The flow state this man achieves during a performance has to be insanse. 🤯
I can keep saying this in response so every single one of your videos, but it's so great so get these behind the scenes! Fantastic video as always. Though I must admit, the Cirque du Soleil videos you've posted are my favourites. Thank you for sharing!
Wow. Viva. I ran into Cirque du Soleil audio and music crew in LA in the 90s. Mind blowing then. Mind blowing now.
I cannot express how much I enjoy watching behind the scenes of extremely intricate shows and the people behind them. Well oiled machines begetting unforgettable experiences through live instant human coordination. With a sprinkle of mischief as how Bruno Dumont says he plays with the camera sometimes to disorient people at times with a sly little smile on his face. Your own personal intrigue is also felt throughout the video, which I also really adore. Very deep thanks for showcasing raw authentic behind the scenes like these and posting them for free. Truly a mini marvel.
When I saw O several years ago the saxophonist came out after the Russian swings and was having so much fun that I smiled until my face hurt
There's an awful phrase used in corporate environments that it says: "everybody is replaceable" …with him it doesn't apply at all. 16:10
Oh gosh!😱 I always! Wanted to see the musicians station!Do you play Svecounia (cerceaux) or it's the accordionist?I love that song.
6:12 He controls a camera with his synth/keyboard. 10-20-30yrs ago that sentence would it be fantasy or science fiction
I can confirm, this YT channel is living my dream life. Taylor If you need a fly on your wall anytime soon I can be your guy
The way they have to improvise transitions on the fly is blowing my mind. Damn.
O Is my favorite show. And its music is phenomenal. So nice to see the people behind the magic
This is absolutely incredible! The way Bruno manages to play musical instruments while serving as the Musical Director during the show, all at the same time, is truly impressive! I especially loved the part where he explained how all the pedals work. Thank you Dallas for such a fascinating and insightful episode.
13:33 🎵 “Tzelma” 🎵
Soooo cool! It's so nice to see the musicians of Cirque getting a shoutout on your channel- I feel like they often fly under the radar, so many people don't even realize that most of the shows are performed live. Thank you for making this and your Drawn to Life episode!
Cirque du Soleil has always had amazing music directors
My favorite cirque show and soundtrack, thank you!