‘Corteo’ offers fun, spontaneity

Cirque du Soleil offering opens Wednesday

There’s no doubt, Canadians love Cirque. Cirque du Soleil has become a part of Canada’s culture — and Cirque’s latest offering is based on a clown’s imagination of a joyous procession, a festive parade or Corteo or “cortege” in Italian.

Audiences will be transported into a theatrical world of fun, surrealism, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and Earth when “Corteo” makes its debut in Lethbridge at the Enmax Centre Wednesday through next Sunday.

Philippe Poirier is one of Corteo’s musical artists — providing the soothing saxophone and keyboard sounds during the live six-piece band’s “Corteo” performances. Born in Quebec, Poirier started playing saxophone at 12 years old and joined Cirque in 2009 on the show Saltimbanco and also worked on the “Corteo” big top show.

“‘Corteo’ arena is actually a new production. It started last November, but it’s a remake of what ‘Corteo’ was before in the big top in the tent. I was also part of that for the last three years,” he noted.

According to the multi-talented musician, the essence of the “Corteo” big top show is still present in the arena incarnation.

“The story, the show — but, technically it’s in a new format that is able to travel and tear down much, much faster. First of all, we don’t have the actual tent. We use arenas,” he added.

Poirier said the show has changed a little bit.

“We have two new numbers. One of them is suspended pole dancing — which is the only woman in the world, I think, that does that right now. There’s another number that is hoops. A girl that does hoops and this is new,” he said.

Poirier believes the show is very, very beautiful with the new format.

“I’m really excited to be here, doing this and be part of it.”

“Corteo’s” live band consists of two vocalists (one male and one female), two keyboardists including Poirier, a bassist, a drummer (also a percussionist), a violinist, and an accordion/guitar player.

Live music, Poirier explained, accompanies what is on the stage each night.

“It makes a really big difference because we never know what can happen. Every night is different. A juggler could drop his clubs or an acrobat feels a little bit tired and he goes faster. We have to constantly talk to each other and make the music as close as possible and sometimes there’s some really beautiful moments created with that,” he said, adding the music is large in scope and includes a variety of musical styles.

Poirier said he is very lucky to be a part of Cirque, which was a chance of a lifetime.

“You have to take advantage of it. I worked hard to be here. I studied music all my life, but I’m very lucky. It’s a live band. I am glad I can provide and give something and be part of it,” he said.

“Corteo,” Poirier said, is on tour in North America for one more year with plans to tour Europe next.

“I think the dates are going to come up very soon. We hope for the future — maybe Asia or Australia.”

For ticket information visit online at enmaxcentre.ca.