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Cirque du Soleil : Corteo

Cirque du Soleil : Corteo Tickets

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Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 3212 reviews

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United States

About

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo on Tour

Like the deceased clown whose festive fantasy funeral it portrays, Corteo has risen again to assume its joyful place in the Cirque du Soleil solar system.

One of some 20 active Cirque du Soleil shows, Corteo closed its "Grand Chapiteau" – or "big tent" – run in Quito, Ecuador, in December 2015 after more than 3,500 performances seen by more than 5 million people since its Montreal premiere a decade earlier. In 2018, Corteo reopened in New Orleans as an even bigger and better arena experience slated for a two-year tour.

If you love clowns, Corteo is the show for you. Taking its title from the Italian word for "cortège," or procession, Corteo offers a parade of brilliant entertainments in a carnivalesque atmosphere. It was inspired originally by "The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown," a 2004 exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.

That exhibition's vast array of circus life, from 18th-century fairgrounds to Picasso's harlequins, was transformed into an in-the-round big-top experience by director Daniele Finzi Pasca. Pasca founded the Swiss clown troupe Teatro Sunil and directed several other Cirque du Soleil spectacles.

While all of the show's principal characters are clowns – including the Dead Clown, Clowness, Giant Clown, and Little Clown – the 62-member cast, from more than a dozen countries, also features aerialists, acrobats, musicians, jugglers, contortionists, hoopers, and gymnasts in addition to its many jubilant jesters.

Costume designer Dominique Lemieux was inspired by "raw and luxurious" European fabrics from the early 20th century and commedia dell'arte characters from the 16th to the 18th centuries. A labyrinth matching one on the floor of France's famed Chartres Cathedral graces the stage. And French painter Adolphe Willette's fantasy Parisian bohemian scene Parc Domine (1885) inspired the show's elaborate water-colored curtains. Those curtains hide "Patience," an imposing overhead structure holding up the rails traversed by four platform carts.

Its stunning mixture of acrobatics and character-driven acting has been Cirque du Soleil's calling card since 1984, when what is now the world's largest theatrical production was founded in Montreal by street performers Guy Laliberté and Gilles Ste-Croix. With Corteo, Cirque du Soleil has outdone itself with an epic tribute to the circus world's comical essence: the clown.

Reviews

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 3212 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great Show

    by BeachLover420 on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    This was the first time my companions and I had ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show and no one was disappointed. It was wonderful. I loved watching the very talented performers and the comedic bits were just great. I would definitely like to see another Cirque du Soleil show if it comes back around near my hometown.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Not What I Expected

    by Bill on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I have seen other Cirque shows in the past but this one was totally different. It was mostly in Italian and hard to understand, and initially we did not realize the theme was about a clown on his deathbed, dreaming of his funeral in a circus theme. The scenes left us a bit perplexed, but on the plus side, the gymnastics, athleticism, skill and strength of the performers was amazing.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magic in the air

    by Brave dave on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I can’t even imagine the time choreographing that. Well done anyone wanting to experience a European / French/ Italian daydream in real life will enjoy this action packed super entertainment. The amount of practice really shows in all the acts with the perfect timing which increased with each act and topped off with an even more amazing high bar show. Wow these people are amazing and don’t seem to have time to be affraid of heights. Unbelievable well done.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Mehhhhh

    by Princess on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I thought it was just mediocre and honestly almost boring at times.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Delightful!

    by Nanci on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    My husband and I took our two granddaughters (16 and 5) to see Corteo. It was such a wonderful, fantastical show, very colorful with great music, singing, and costumes. Our favorite part was when Bella, in a basket being carried by huge balloons floated above the audience and they would push her feet to move her along or keep her high above. Our 5 year old got a little antsy but loved the show, our 16 year old now wants to train in Canada to become a member. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Thoroughly enjoyed

    by MDF on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    As always a fun fast moving show. Lots of thrills and excitement.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Boring and a waste of money.

    by Katherine Foster on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    Do yourself and your family a favor. Skip this one !

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Bellisimo!!!!

    by Lisa B on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I don’t know how anyone could think Corteo is less than a magical dream brought to life. The physical achievements of the actors are godly. The music and acting are beautiful. I will go again the next time Cirque is in Albany.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    AMAZING

    by CateMiller713 on 4/23/24MVP Arena - Albany

    This is my 3rd Cirque show (and third different theme I've seen) and not a single one disappointed. These performers are SO talented, it's incredible!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Spectacular

    by Jojo on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    Magnificent artistry and breathtaking acrobatics! A beautifully done story in opera style.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing show!

    by Mary on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    We liked a lot this show, the beautiful decorations, very talented artists. It's amazing what the human body is capable of!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Inspiring Spectacle (with a good sense of humor)

    by Blue J on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    The show was wonderful. I have practiced circus arts as a hobby for some years now and I am still blown away by the talent people in this craft are able to develop. The show, in my opinion, perfectly transitioned between intense displays of human ability and silly skits (my favorite skit, despite how minor they were, was any scene with the horse) I cannot wait to see another show oneday, and maybe even try out dancing with a ladder!

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    I was not impressed with the story line

    by BigSexysMrs on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I thought the storyline was not well thought out. The acrobatics were very good.

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Amazing acrobatics but...

    by Lizzie on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    The acrobatics are amazing- The cast is amazing. I could do without the skits that did not include acrobatics. Thats what we are there to see- not your silly skits like Romeo and Juliet to name one of them.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fantastic

    by Lisa on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    The show was fantastic. First time I’ve ever seen Cirque du Soleil and it was wonderful.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Drop the $ and see it

    by Meg R on 4/22/24MVP Arena - Albany

    I have never seen Cirque du Soleil but we decided to give it a go we saw Corteo and it was amazing! I have never been one for singing like the theater but this is different we took our 8yr old son he Loved it ! If you have doubts put them aside and see any show they do . I cant wait to see another

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome

    by Thrilling on 4/17/24Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport

    Exciting and entertaining from start to finish. All the cast members are extraordinary in their grace and athleticism.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing Experience

    by Michelle on 4/17/24Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport

    Corteo was ethereal and captivating!!! The venue was clean and professionally run.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing

    by Kbellakiss on 4/17/24Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport

    The seats were wonderful. The performance spectacular!!!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Entertainment with Athletic Feats of Talent

    by jumpinmike on 4/17/24Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport

    Wonderful show with Trampolines, Gymnastics, and Comedy. It was my 3rd time seeing it and I could easily go 3 more times.