Created and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca

Picture credit:     Marie-Reine Mattera ©Cirque du Soleil, Inc. 2005
Costume credit:     Dominique Lemieux


Corteo begins its majesty with beautifully painted transparent opera curtains lit quietly from behind.  The theme of the art is reminiscent of mad King Louis of
Bavaria in his summer palace  Linderhof.

The costumes even have a feel from a Victor Hugo
novel.  The good humor, pleasant music and dramatic
performances are but a moment away.  A painted
vagabond with a parasol comes to stage accompanied
by organ music and with a few light transitions there
appears a ring master with the beginning of the show.
A meditative clown strolls the stage with others but
he alone fixes his gaze momentarily on the audience,
showing an awareness of the event to happen.  The
dramatic beginning has an ethereal quality as we find
guardian angels and other protectors of the spirit
enchanting everyday life. 




Picture credit:     Marie-Reine Mattera ©Cirque du Soleil, Inc. 2005
Costume credit:     Dominique Lemieux

Corteo is a festive treat for all the senses and has
within it some of the finest juggling, acrobatics,
costumes, and performances of all kinds. 

Corteo embraces life, death, transitions, humor, and
beauty with the elegance we have all come to expect
from Cirque du Soleil.  It has been three years now since
a new road show has come to Chicago and many of
us have seen their permanent shows around the country
and the world, but it is always a delight and an honor
to have a new show in Chicago. 




Picture credit:     Marie-Reine Mattera ©Cirque du Soleil, Inc. 2005
Costume credit:     Dominique Lemieux


The show in chicago even in our hottest weather is
made comfortable by the wonderful air-conditioned
tents that the show spends weeks setting up so that
your comfort  and curiosity are nurtured and delighted.  

Get your tickets soon and be prepared for a night of amazing amusement.

Picture credit:     Marie-Reine Mattera ©Cirque du Soleil, Inc. 2005
Costume credit:     Dominique Lemieux

Created and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca

CORTEO OPENS JULY 14, 2006

Under the Blue-and-Yellow Grand Chapiteau at United Center (Parking Lot K)

 Chicago, April 21, 2006 – CIRQUE DU SOLEIL returns to Chicago after a three-year absence to present Corteo, its latest touring show. Corteo will open on Friday, July 14 for a limited engagement at United Center (Parking Lot K) under its trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau.

Cirque Club members can purchase exclusive prime seats tickets on Wednesday April 26 by connecting free of charge to cirquedusoleil.com. New club membership is free and available immediately at cirquedusoleil.com. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Sunday, 
May 7 at 9:00 a.m. (CT) and may be purchased by calling Admission Network at 1 800 678-5440 or online at cirquedusoleil.com.

Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

The cast and the acts

The cast of Corteo brings together over 55 artists from 16 different countries: Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Italy, Israel, Kenya, Romania, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Ukraine.

Corteo explores the circus arts in a way that is brand new to Cirque du Soleil. Once again, the very limits of acrobatics are challenged as Daniele Finzi Pasca lends his unique touch to Cirque du Soleil spectacular performances.  Corteo redefines the springboard, the Korean frame and the tightwire, and presents acts that are as original as they are innovative. The desire to surprise and move the audience is a big part of the inspiration behind Corteo.

The creators

Daniele Finzi Pasca is the director of this new production, which calls on the talents of 14 different creators, nearly half of whom are working with Cirque du Soleil for the first time. Members of the creative team are:

The North American Tour

Before arriving in Chicago, Corteo will have visited cities such as: Montreal, Toronto, San Francisco and will be playing in New York as of April 27.

Sponsors

Cirque du Soleil gratefully acknowledges AMEX, CGI and CELEBRITY CRUISES as the corporate sponsors of the 2006 US Tours.  Our media partners in Chicago are: The Chicago Tribune, ABC 7 Chicago, WLIT 93.9 FM - "The Lite," WNUA 95.5 FM – “Smooth Jazz,” and CBS Outdoor.