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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.
Corteo was incredible. My husband and I took out young adult children and they put their phones down and marveled at the the talent (and the physiques). The cost of the tickets is worth the experience.
We left the venue at the intermission point as we found the music to be deafeningly loud. To be honest, we’ve been to several Cirque events and we thought this one was somewhat boring. The entire premise of the death of the main character was kind of silly and the “angels” just floating back and forth across the stage was just an unnecessary added touch.
From the set to the costumes, the music and especially performances everything was fantastic. With the exposure we have today to almost have seen everything, this show had many next level performances. Also the less expensive seats were great
They've done it again. Went to see Corteo and was not disappointed. First time with stage visible from both sides. Performers were fabulous! Would definitely recommend this to anyone even if you've never seen a Cirque show.
Everything was quick and smooth in getting there, and I parking and getting to our seats. The show was absolutely incredible!
The show was fabulous! Very professional. A very talented cast.
This Cirque had an unusual set-up which I really enjoyed
It was my first Cirque Du Soleil show. You really have to experience all the music, the spectacle, and the performances to really appreciate it. We were talking about all the little things we noticed during the show for days. It had something for everyone. It is like a dream come to life!
Not stop action and incredible acts. Worth every penny.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the show: costumes, story line, the acrobatics. The show was very entertaining.
As good as any of the Cirque du Soleil performances! Love it! Good job Corteo Team at Cirque du Soleil
Confusing at start and a few mistakes made during the performance Not up to my expectations of Cirque
The show was excellent and we have seen at least 15 different Cirque Du Soleil shows, some several times. Our seats were in the 400 section, Row H which is considered nosebleed if you ask me for sure. Not the greatest seats but the Cirque performers more than made up for that shortfall. This is the first venue we have ever seen in Milwaukee, we live in Philadelphia, PA.
This show was one of those rare shows that when it was over you stood up and looked at those around you and all agreed, "This can't be it, I want more.
Excellent show all around. I would see it multiple times. Highly recommend it.
Just loved it. What an amazing show. Well worth the cost. Music was magical!
Once again Cirque Du Soleil gave the audience its best on all fronts: music, costumes, set, and performances that both baffled and amazed. I kept asking myself, "How do they do that?" As we left them arena, we kept humming the many melodies and saying to each other how much we enjoyed this or that act or group. The whole performance was incredible and I would see it again.
Corteo was a beautiful display of talent, athleticism, acrobatics, skill and team work. This was the first cirque du soleil act I've ever watched and will definitely not be the last. It is a great event for all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.
We enjoyed it and were entertained and if this is the first time you will be going to a Cirque performance, I'd recommend it. We found it a bit whimsical and less interesting and astonishing than the past three shows we have been to. Typical Cirque shows have almost beginning to end stuff that takes your breath away and makes you say "no way". This had 4 or 5 of those throughout the show but there was also a fair amount on whimsical filler to help tell the story.
It was opening night, but that doesn't matter to Cirque. If there were any mistakes made, I didn't notice. The stage was the center of attention, with the audience on each side, but that wasn't a distraction. Even the original musicians were in costume. At times, you would have thought you were under a big top with some of the most breathtaking circus acts: trapeze, acrobats, clowns, performers propelled by giants balloons and interacting with the audience. The music was hypnotic. At intermission I went to buy the CD. If you get the chance to see the show, take it.
