Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' returns to Barcelona with theatrical journey 

Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo' show returns to Barcelona, where it will be performed at Palau Sant Jordi from Thursday until April 6. The production immerses audiences in a theatrical world set in an undefined space between heaven and earth.  

'Corteo,' which can translate from Italian as procession or cortège, aligns with the storyline of the show, where a clown envisions his own funeral in a dreamlike, carnival-like atmosphere while silent angels watch over him. By intertwining the grand with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic, and magic with perfection, the performance highlights the protagonist’s strength and fragility. 

Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the show aims to be a ''triumphant'' journey into the world of circus, filled with deeply human characters bound by friendship and solidarity, drawing from the essence of traditional Italian circus.  

According to the director, this dream unfolds on stage through "the wonder of acrobatic movement full of theatricality" and stage machinery that "creates unusual and surprising imagery." 

"I used poetry to tell the story of Mauro, a clown illuminated by the moon, delicate in the way he moves through a world inhabited by nomads and street artists," the production team stated in a press release. Adapting the show for a global tour required transformations that made it "even more beautiful and impressive." 

The show, which has been touring for 10 years and has been seen by more than 10 million spectators, is the first Cirque du Soleil production with a two-sided stage. The set includes a series of curtains inspired by the Eiffel Tower and hand-painted central drapes that enhance the poetic nature of Corteo. 

The show's music is performed live by a band of eight musicians, while grand chandeliers serve as the central acrobatic elements.  

Among the surprises in Corteo is an acrobatic ladder act, in which a performer shows off incredible balance attempting to reach one of the angels. The evening’s illusions are completed by a duo interacting with the audience, juggling, seesaws, bars, intimate theater, and high-flying acts. 

Corteo is approaching its 20th anniversary since its creation. The 18th production from Cirque du Soleil features a team of 117 members from 27 different countries, including 53 artists and 34 technicians. In total, there are 175 different costume pieces. 

Tickets start at €39,- and are available online.