Corteo

Corteo
Company	Cirque du Soleil
Genre	Contemporary circus
Show type	Touring production
Date of premiere	April 21, 2005 (Montreal)
Final show	November 22, 2015 (Mexico city)
Creative team
Director	Daniele Finzi Pasca
Director of creation	Line Tremblay
Set designer	Jean Rabasse
Composers	Philippe Leduc Maria Bonzanigo
Additional composers	Jean-François Côté Roger Hewett
Costume designer	Dominique Lemieux
Makeup designer	Nathalie Gagné
Sound designer	Jonathan Deans
Lighting designer	Martin Labrecque
Dramaturgical analyst	Dolores Heredia
Acting coaches	Hugo Gargiulo Antonio Vergamini
Acrobatic equipment	Danny Zen
Other information
Preceded by	Kà (2004)
Succeeded by	Delirium (2006)
Official website

Corteo /kɔrˈteɪ.oʊ/ is a Cirque du Soleil touring production that premiered in Montreal, Canada on April 21, 2005. As of May 24, 2005, Cirque du Soleil had broken its record of spectators for the première location in Montreal; more than 200,000 people had viewed the production, far outpacing the prior record of 180,000 tickets sold for Varekai during its première.^[1]

Cortéo—an Italian word meaning "cortège," or procession—is a contemporary circus show about a clown who watches his own funeral taking place in a carnival-like atmosphere. It is partly inspired by The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown on display at the National Gallery of Canada.^[2]

Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, founder of the Swiss clown troupe Teatro Sunil and director of several shows by Cirque Éloize, Cortéo is presented in the round under a large tent. The action takes place on a large circular stage consisting of concentric rotating rings. This allows one area of the stage to rotate while another remains stationary. At times during the performance, the stage is divided by a large curtain illustrated with a painting called the Cortéo Procession. There are entrances/exits at either side of the circular stage.^[2]

Set and technical information

Cirque du Soleil divided the Grand Chapiteau in two by creating a stage that spans the diameter of the tent, thus allowing the audience to face one another as well as giving a performer's perspective to them. Built into the 104 feet (32 m) long stage are two turntables which have a diameter of 41 feet (12 m). Corteo's set has a special overhead transport mechanism, dubbed the "Patience", which has two rails which are fitted with four platform-like carts each. Each cart has a lifting capacity of 1,000 pounds (450 kg) and a top speed of 4 feet per second (1.2 m/s). At its highest point, it is 41 feet (12 m) above the stage.^[3]

The curtains utilized in Corteo have been painted in watercolors and were inspired by a painting from 1885 by Adolphe Willette. The Roll Drop curtains are about 58 feet (18 m) in width and 40 feet (12 m) in height. The inner curtains were constructed in Canada and sent to France to be painted. Each of the four inner curtains took nearly two weeks to be individually painted.^[3]

The design on the center stage is a labyrinth which exactly matches the proportions and size of the one on the floor in the aisle in Chartres Cathedral.^[3]

Cast

The principal characters of Corteo are clowns, as is fitting for a clown's funeral, but 62 artists comprise the full troupe.^[4][5]

• Mauro: The central character of Corteo, and the one being honored in this funeral procession. He is also referred to as the dead clown or the dreamer clown.
• Clowness: The Clowness is an actress, a veritable grande dame of the stage, who somehow found herself a part of this nutty troupe. Her professionalism and her strength of character allow her to bear the foolishness of her partners, whom she never fails to charm.^[6]
• Giant clown: Although only an amateur opera singer, the Giant Clown imagines himself to be a great artist of worldwide renown. Without doubt, it is with him that the Dead Clown is closest, almost like brothers.^[6]
• Little clown: A diminutive clown who’s in love with the Clowness, the Little Clown is always ready to play tricks on his associates. Impish and lively, he is both an endearing companion and a force to be reckoned with.^[6]
• Loyal whistler: His origins come from the classic role of "Mr. Loyal", the ringmaster of a traditional circus.
• White clown: For the White Clown, a Pierrot, appearances are what matters most. Like the Loyal Whistler, he is an authority figure … at least, he’d like to be. Of all the colourful characters, he admires only the stars and scorns the others. It is the White Clown who opens the door to the magic of the circus for the Dead Clown.^[6]
• Little angel: Watches over Mauro and guides him.

Acts

The acts in Corteo bring together the passion of acting with the grace and power of acrobatics.^[7][8]

• Chandeliers: An aerial act unlike any other, involving three large chandeliers and four aerialists.
• Bouncing beds: A group of artists mimic children in this comical trampoline act. The beds have a trampoline as a mattress for this act to work.
• Cyr wheel: A group of performers spin and rotate while in a large metal ring.
• Tightrope: A solo artist walks a tight wire barefoot or in ballet pointe shoes, the act also involves props such as hula hoops and a unicycle.
• Acro Duo: A couple perform stunning acrobatic feats. The man throws the woman in the air as she somersaults, she lands and they are united again for the next trick.
• Diablolos:Um artista faz peripercias usando seu Diabolo
• Helium Dance: The clowness floats above the ground with aid at a large set of gigantic balloons and the dead clown.
• Teeterboard: Three feuding artists send each other flying high in the air in this energetic act.
• Paradise: A unique aerial act involving a trampoline safety net, and four aerial cradles. The performers throw one another from these cradles to a group on the next cradle.
• Tibetan bowls: A large group play the soothing Tibetan bowls, they accompany the loyal whistlers whistling.
• Duo adagio: On a rotating platform, two artists use strength and balance as they contort themselves to many beautiful figures.
• Juggling: A quartet of performers toss clubs and rings to each other with a bullseye accuracy.
• Ladder: An acrobat climbs up and down, even performs a handstand on top of a high free standing ladder.
• Aerial straps: using sheer strength a duo perform with long cords attached to the ceiling as they swing around the stage.
• Tournik: An original act that takes the traditional high bar apparatus, but creates a twist by fusing four high bars to make a cube.

Retired acts

• Rhythmic gymnastics: A fiery act that involved two female and a male rhythmic gymnast, they used hoops, ribbons and balls in this act.
• Solo Straps: A lone artist swung across the stage with a pair of long cords that she clung onto
• Vocal Aerial Silk: A unique rotational act that was performed by Marie-Michelle Faber, she would perform an extravagant tissu act, while singing.

Costumes

Corteo's costume designer, Dominique Lemieux, utilized "matériaux bruts et des matières nobles"^[7] (French for "raw and luxury fabrics") to create the wardrobe for this Cirque du Soleil production in order to accentuate the artist's natural beauty. The finer details of the outfits were inspired by European styles between 1890 and 1930. The color palette chosen was soft in nature, including blue, pink, and fuchsia along with copper and gold hues. In order to create a worn-in, hand-me-down style of clothing, the costumes were airbrushed and dyed. Common fabrics throughout the wardrobe include silk, linen, and cotton, which are adorned with beaded lace, sequins, and gemstones.^[7] In total, more than 900 fabrics were utilized to create the 184 costumes. If back-up and rotational costumes are to be taken into account, the total costume count grows to around 450 costumes with 284 rotations.^[3] During each show day, 12 to 16 hours of ironing is necessitated in order to prepare the costumes.^[5]

• The performers in the Paradise act are clothed in silk georgette, crêpe de Chine, and satin.
• The musicians have pleated ruffs along the neckline in addition to engageantes.
• The White clown is dressed to represent classic commedia dell'arte characters. The fabric is gathered at both the hips and shoulders by cartridge pleats, and the bibs are covered in honeycomb stocking.

Music

Corteo’s score was originally composed by Philippe Leduc and Maria Bonzanigo. Additional composers including Jean-François Côté and Michel A. Smith subsequently reworked several pieces. Show director Daniele Finzi Pasca contributed lyrics. Cirque du Soleil Musique released an album of music from Corteo on 23 September 2006 in Canada, and 7 October 2006 in the US. Corteo was one of the first Cirque du Soleil CDs to feature multiple composers.

The album features the contribution of 61 musicians and singers, a 16-piece choir and a 13-piece string section. Corteo’s lyrics are sung in Italian, French, and Spanish.^[9]

The tracks from the CD are listed below and alongside are the acts during which they are played.

1. Funerale (Opening pt. 1)
2. Ritornare (Opening pt. 2)
3. Rêve d'un pantin (Marionette)
4. Les chevaux à bottes (Little horses)
5. Nos dejó (Cortege)
6. Klezmer Moment (Helium dance)
7. Prendersi per mano (Aerial straps)
8. Anneaux (Cyr wheels)
9. El cielo sabrá (Tightwire)
10. Fugue (Chandeliers)
11. Volo volando (Chandeliers)
12. Un tierno y dulce (Planche)
13. Balade au bout d'une échelle (Freestanding ladder)
14. Garda lassù (Planche)
15. Triangle tango (Rhythmic gymnastics)
16. Che finalone (Tournik)

Filmography

Cirque released their film adaptation of Corteo on April 11, 2006.^[10] It was filmed in Canada in 2005.^[11] During the Creative Arts ceremony on September 8, 2007, it won the Emmy award for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Special. The following day, it also won a Gémeaux (Gemini Award) for Meilleur montage - humour, variétés, arts de la scène (best editing - humor, entertainment, performing arts).^[12]

Tour

Since Corteo's première in Montreal in 2005, it has been seen by more than 5 million spectators. Corteo celebrated its 1000th show in January 2008 in San Diego; its 1500th show in June 2009 in Nagoya, Japan; its 2000th show in September 2010 in Kazan, Russia, and its 3500th show in March 2015 inBogota, Colombia.^[5]

Corteo began (as with all Cirque shows) with its American tour (2005-2008) which was followed by its Japanese tour in 2009. Unfortunately the show did not go on to any other cities in Asia or Oceania, but instead skipped to a European tour (2010-2013) and then a South American tour (2013-2015) where the show is planned to close. Corteo's last show is scheduled for 22nd November 2015 whilst in Mexico City.^[13] Due to the complexity of the aerial system and stage set-up, an arena tour is said to not be possible. A DVD of the show however has been produced and so do not fear, Corteo can still be seen after it retires!

The following colorboxes indicate the region of each performance:
  EU   Europe   NA   North America   SA   South America   AP   Asia/Pacific   OC   Oceania   AF   Africa   CA   Central America

Grand Chapiteau tour

2005 schedule

  NA   Montreal, QC - From 21 April 2005 to 19 June 2005 (show première)
  NA   Quebec, QC - From 30 June 2005 to 24 July 2005
  NA   Toronto, ON - From 4 August 2005 to 11 September 2005
  NA   Minneapolis, MN - From 23 September 2005 to 23 October 2005
  NA   San Francisco, CA - From 11 November 2005 to 8 January 2006

2006 schedule

  NA   San Jose, CA - From 19 January 2006 to 5 March 2006
  NA   Phoenix, AZ - From 16 March 2006 to 9 April 2006
  NA   New York, NY - From 25 April 2006 to 2 July 2006
  NA   Chicago, IL - From 14 July 2006 to 27 August 2006
  NA   Boston, MA - From 8 September 2006 to 15 October 2006
  NA   Washington, DC - From 26 October 2006 to 26 November 2006
  NA   Atlanta, GA - From 15 December 2006 to 28 January 2007

2007 schedule

  NA   Dallas, TX - From 9 February 2007 to 11 March 2007
  NA   Houston, TX - From 22 March 2007 to 29 April 2007
  NA   Columbus, OH - From 11 May 2007 to 10 June 2007
  NA   Denver, CO - From 22 June 2007 to 5 August 2007
  NA   Los Angeles, CA - From 23 August 2007 to 28 October 2007
  NA   Costa Mesa, CA - From 8 November 2007 to 23 December 2007

2008 schedule

  NA   San Diego, CA - From 11 January 2008 to 17 February 2008
  NA   Portland, OR - From 4 March 2008 to 13 April 2008
  NA   Seattle, WA - From 24 April 2008 to 1 June 2008
  NA   Vancouver, BC - From 12 June 2008 to 20 July 2008
  NA   Calgary, AB - From 31 July 2008 to 7 September 2008
  NA   Ottawa, ON - From 24 September 2008 to 26 October 2008
  NA   Miami, FL - From 13 November 2008 to 28 December 2008

2009 schedule

  AP   Tokyo, JP - From 4 February 2009 to 5 May 2009
  AP   Nagoya, JP - From 21 May 2009 to 12 July 2009
  AP   Osaka, JP - From 29 July 2009 to 18 October 2009
  AP   Tokyo, JP - From 4 November 2009 to 24 January 2010

2010 schedule

  AP   Fukuoka, JP - From 11 February 2010 to 4 April 2010
  AP   Sendai, JP - From 21 April 2010 to 6 June 2010
  EU   St Petersburg, RU - From 26 June 2010 to 8 August 2010
  EU   Kazan, RU - From 21 August 2010 to 26 September 2010
  EU   Moscow, RU - From 9 October 2010 to 12 December 2010

2011 schedule

  EU   Brussels, BE - From 4 January 2011 to 30 January 2011
  EU   Vienna, AT - From 10 February 2011 to 20 March 2011
  EU   Madrid, ES - From 2 April 2011 to 5 June 2011
  EU   Valencia, ES - From 16 June 2011 to 17 July 2011
  EU   Alicante, ES - From 28 July 2011 to 28 August 2011
  EU   Sevilla, ES - From 8 September 2011 to 16 October 2011
  EU   Paris, FR - From 4 November 2011 to 8 Jan 2012^[14]

2012 schedule