The mission of Cirque du Soleil is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses, and evoke the emotions of people around the world. It certainly accomplished all three for me. The first Cirque du Soleil performance I attended was Quidam, at Ontario Place in Toronto, with some friends. The experience was so moving that I almost teared up; it was simply amazing. And I became an avid fan.
Having a media pass for Cirque’s Corteo was an exciting opportunity. Photographing a rehearsal of the show was truly unique; I found it just as captivating as attending an actual performance. I love being behind the scenes, capturing up-close and personal moments through my photography. The strength and skill of the performers were mesmerizing, and they were friendly and accommodating. I even had the chance to interview one of the aerialists after the rehearsal.
To my surprise, I received two tickets to the actual show, and I had no trouble finding a guest to join me that night. Corteo was my sixth Cirque du Soleil show.
My favourite Cirque experience, however, was seeing the show Alegria under the big top at Ontario Place, this time with VIP tickets. I wanted the full Cirque experience—that's how much I love it. VIP ticket holders had access to a separate tent, where we were allowed entry before the show. The tent was decorated with cool Cirque paraphernalia and featured fancy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, all served by Cirque performers who entertained us with fun tricks. During intermission, we returned to the tent for drinks and desserts. It was an incredibly cool and memorable experience.
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Did you know that Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 by a group of 20 street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec? Since then, it has grown into a world-renowned entertainment company with multiple shows running simultaneously around the globe. Another interesting fact is that Cirque du Soleil employs performers from over 50 different countries, making it a truly international production.
Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show combines the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat, immersing the audience in a theatrical world of fun, comedy, and spontaneity, situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.
Coming Soon: Lost In The Skye: A woman's story of resilience and triumph over unthinkable adversity.
Enticing photographs that feel like I'm there--especially those using balloons for some reason
Cheers!
What a truly special opportunity to photograph (and witness) the best athletes and performers in the world. I was inspired by your post and decided to book my tickets for an October show in Zürich. It's been many years since I've seen them perform, and now I can't wait. Thanks for sharing your images—they are brilliant.