Corteo

Corteo
Company	Cirque du Soleil
Genre	Contemporary circus
Show type	Touring production
Date of premiere	21 April 2005 (Montreal)
Final show	13 December 2015 (Quito)
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 /kɔːrˈteɪ.oʊ/ was 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] The show's final performance took place in Quito, Ecuador on 13 December 2015.

Cortéo—an Italian word meaning "cortège" or procession—was a contemporary circus show about a clown who watches his own funeral taking place in a carnival-like atmosphere. It was 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 was presented in the round under a large tent. The action took place on a large circular stage consisting of concentric rotating rings. This allowed one area of the stage to rotate while another remained stationary. At times during the performance, the stage was divided by a large curtain illustrated with a painting called the Cortéo Procession. There were 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 spanned 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 were two turntables with a diameter of 41 feet (12 m). Corteo's set had a special overhead transport mechanism, dubbed the "Patience", which had two rails fitted with four platform-like carts each. Each cart had 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 was 41 feet (12 m) above the stage.^[3]

The curtains utilized in Corteo were painted in watercolors and were inspired by a painting from 1885 by Adolphe Willette. The Roll Drop curtains were 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 was a labyrinth which exactly matches the proportions and size of the one on the floor of Chartres Cathedral.^[3]

Cast

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

• The Dead Clown: The central character of Corteo, and the one being honored in this funeral procession.
• The Clowness: The Clowness is an actress, a 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 is 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]
• The Loyal Whistler: His origins come from the classic role of "Mr. Loyal", the ringmaster of a traditional circus.
• The 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]
• Angels: Watch over the Dead Clown and guide him.

Acts

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

• Chandeliers: An aerial act involving three large chandeliers and four aerialists representing Mauro's past lovers.
• Bouncing beds: A group of artists mimicked children in this comical act on beds whose mattresses were trampolines.
• Cyr wheel: A group of performers spun and rotated in a large metal ring.
• Tightrope: A solo artist walked a tightwire barefoot or in ballet pointe shoes; the act also involved props such as hula hoops and a unicycle.
• Acro Duo: A couple performed stunning acrobatic feats. The man threw the woman in the air; she somersaulted and landed, and they would unite again for the next trick.
• Diabolos
• Helium Dance: The clowness floated above the ground with the aid of a large set of gigantic balloons and the dead clown.
• Teeterboard: Three feuding artists sent 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 threw one another from these cradles to a group on the next cradle.
• Tibetan bowls: A large group played the soothing Tibetan bowls, accompanying the Loyal Whistler's whistling.
• Duo adagio: On a rotating platform, two artists used strength and balance as they contorted themselves into many beautiful poses.
• Juggling: A quartet of performers tossed clubs and rings to each other with bullseye accuracy.
• Ladder: An acrobat climbed up and down and even performed a handstand on top of a tall, freestanding ladder.
• Aerial straps: Using sheer strength, a duo performed suspended from long cords, swinging around the stage.
• Tournik: An original act that took the traditional high bar apparatus, but created 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 clinging to a pair of long cords.
• 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 a wardrobe that accentuated the artists' 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 included silk, linen, and cotton, which were 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 was around 450 costumes with 284 rotations.^[3] During each show day, 12 to 16 hours of ironing was necessary to prepare the costumes.^[5]

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

Listed below are the tracks from the CD, alongside the acts during which they were 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 du Soleil 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

Following Corteo's première in Montreal in 2005, it was 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 in Bogota, Colombia.

Corteo began (like all touring Cirque du Soleil shows) with an American tour (2005-2008), which was followed by a Japanese tour in 2009. The show did not go on to any other cities in Asia or Oceania, but instead proceeded to a European tour (2010-2013) and then a South American tour (2013-2015). The show's final performance took place in Quito, Ecuador on 13 December 2015. Unlike other Cirque du Soleil shows, Corteo's unique stage configuration and complex aerial system prevented it from being adapted to arena spaces for a subsequent tour without the big top.

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

Grand Chapiteau tour

2005 schedule

 NA   Montreal, QC - From 21 Apr to 19 Jun 2005 (show première)
 NA   Quebec, QC - From 30 Jun to 24 Jul 2005
 NA   Toronto, ON - From 4 Aug to 11 Sep 2005
 NA   Minneapolis, MN - From 23 Sep to 23 Oct 2005
 NA   San Francisco, CA - From 11 Nov 2015 to 8 Jan 2006

2006 schedule

 NA   San Jose, CA - From 19 Jan to 5 Mar 2006
 NA   Phoenix, AZ - From 16 Mar to 9 Apr 2006
 NA   New York, NY - From 25 Apr to 2 Jul 2006
 NA   Chicago, IL - From 14 Jul to 27 Aug 2006
 NA   Boston, MA - From 8 Sep to 15 Oct 2006
 NA   Washington, DC - From 26 Oct to 26 Nov 2006
 NA   Atlanta, GA - From 15 Dec 2006 to 28 Jan 2007

2007 schedule

 NA   Dallas, TX - From 9 Feb to 11 Mar 2007
 NA   Houston, TX - From 22 Mar to 29 Apr 2007
 NA   Columbus, OH - From 11 May to 10 Jun 2007
 NA   Denver, CO - From 22 Jun to 5 Aug 2007
 NA   Los Angeles, CA - From 23 Aug to 28 Oct 2007
 NA   Costa Mesa, CA - From 8 Nov to 23 Dec 2007

2008 schedule

 NA   San Diego, CA - From 11 Jan to 17 Feb 2008
 NA   Portland, OR - From 4 Mar to 13 Apr 2008
 NA   Seattle, WA - From 24 Apr to 1 Jun 2008
 NA   Vancouver, BC - From 12 Jun to 20 Jul 2008
 NA   Calgary, AB - From 31 Jul to 7 Sep 2008
 NA   Ottawa, ON - From 24 Sep to 26 Oct 2008
 NA   Miami, FL - From 13 Nov to 28 Dec 2008

2009 schedule

 AP   Tokyo, JP - From 4 Feb to 5 May 2009
 AP   Nagoya, JP - From 21 May to 12 Jul 2009
 AP   Osaka, JP - From 29 Jul to 18 Oct 2009
 AP   Tokyo, JP - From 4 Nov to 24 Jan 2010

2010 schedule

 AP   Fukuoka, JP - From 11 Feb to 4 Apr 2010
 AP   Sendai, JP - From 21 Apr to 6 Jun 2010
 EU   St Petersburg, RU - From 26 Jun to 8 Aug 2010
 EU   Kazan, RU - From 21 Aug to 26 Sep 2010
 EU   Moscow, RU - From 9 Oct to 12 Dec 2010

2011 schedule

 EU   Brussels, BE - From 4 Jan to 30 Jan 2011
 EU   Vienna, AT - From 10 Feb to 20 Mar 2011
 EU   Madrid, ES - From 2 Apr to 5 Jun 2011
 EU   Valencia, ES - From 16 Jun to 17 Jul 2011
 EU   Alicante, ES - From 28 Jul to 28 Aug 2011
 EU   Sevilla, ES - From 8 Sep to 16 Oct 2011
 EU   Paris, FR - From 4 Nov 2011 to 8 Jan 2012

2012 schedule

Reception

Reviews of Corteo in the news media were mixed. In 2005, the Toronto Sun found the show "brilliant" but the Oakland Tribune concluded that it merely "settles for being very good".^[14][15] The New York Times gave a lukewarm review in May 2006, stating at best that it "will pass the time pleasantly for those who have seen and enjoyed previous Cirque extravaganzas".^[16] Although The Washington Post named it an "Editors' Pick" in November 2006, the headline of its article noted, "Some of the Thrill Is Gone".^[17] LA Weekly in 2007 praised the acrobats but criticized the clowns.^[18] A March 2008 review in The Oregonian was similarly reserved, stating that there is a "disparity in the quality of the acts" and a "lack of a cohesive ending".^[19] Nevertheless, Sun Media was enthusiastic about an Ottawa performance of Corteo in September 2008.^[20]

References

External links

• Official website
• Mitch Head and Edi Barata's official site
• Bandleader Roger Hewett's official site
• Kit Chatham's official site
• The former "Loyal Whistler" Robert Stemmons' official site
• Jeff Raz's official site
• Official site of the Loyal Whistler Sean Lomax