The circus world lost an extraordinary talent, an amazing person with tremendous potential. Julie Hamelin Finzi was a pioneer of contemporary circus. Julie’s passing has left an unfillable void in contemporary circus.

The circus community is mourning. Julie Hamelin (43), author, creator and producer of Compagnia Finzi Pasca, died Saturday in Lugano (Switzerland). She was diagnosed with heart disease a year ago. Her husband, Daniele Finzi Pasca made the announcement late last night on the company’s Facebook page.

Julie Hamelin collaborated with Finzi Pasca on the latest Cirque du Soleil production, “Luzia;” where she designed the costumes and puppets. At the age of 21 she co-founded Cirque Éloize with Jeannot Painchaud and Daniel Cyr in 1998 and contributed to the company’s success for many years.

She first met Daniele Finzi Pasca in 2001. They worked together on the famous trilogy of heaven (Nomade, Rain and Nebbia). In 2009, Julie Hamelin left Éloize to found the company Inlevitas with Daniele Finzi Pasca. In 2011, the company changed its name to Compagnia Finzi Pasca. Julie Hamelin Finzi co-created the show “La Verita,” a tribute to the life and work of Salvatore Dali. Her collaboration with Daniele Finzi Pasca also includes the creation of several operas presented at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg: Aida and the Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi (2011 and 2012). In 2014, Julie Hamelin co-created the Olympics closing ceremony of Sochi and the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. At the time of her death, she worked with Finzi Pasca on his first film Piazza San Michele.

Link to the Full Article in French on La Presse.