NYU CASA ITALIAN ZERILLI MARIMO’ PRESENTS:


'LA CANTATA DI NATALE from the production "LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI"

(The Shepherd's Cantata)

 

December 18 2019 at 7:00pm

24 West 12 Street – RSVP needed

Celebrating I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA 40th Anniversary

and home base at New York University

 

honoring Prof. Stefano Albertini and Kostja Kovic

 

A Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas show - Based on the Traditional Southern Italian Play Written by Andrea Perrucci in the 17th century and still performed annually in the environs of Naples.  

Told by masked character of Commedia dell”Arte, narrated in English by LA BEFANA (the Good Witch of Christmas) featuring  the Italian Bagpipe.

 

The concert will feature the southern Italian traditional Christmas music of the show, narrated by la Befana.

The story of the play is set just before the birth Christ, during Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, and the devil has dispatched his demons to stop the Savior's birth. Their escapades are entwined with those of Razzullo, one of the Pulcinella masks here depicted as a comic, mischievous Neapolitan scribe to is always hungry. 

Conjuring up tempests, dragons and other unseemly tricks, the demons try to do away with the play's characters but all are under the Angel Gabriel's protection and the holy couple finally reaches Bethlehem. Before good triumphs over evil, there is an incredible clash, in dance between the archangel and the devil and a grotesque, but humorous, depiction of heaven and hell.

I Giullari di Piazza will be celebrating their 40th anniversary! and this production was first presented at NYU in 1984 with the sponsorship of the Italian department, where the company was in residence for 10 years.

 Compilation of pictures

The cast includes:

Artistic director Alessandra Belloni also in the role  of Mary -mezzo soprano, percussion, 

Max Mc Guire – as la Befana 

 Joe Deninzon – devil, violin

Susan Eberenz flute - piccolo recorders 

Wilson Montuori or Enrico Granafei - classical guitar 

Serena Davini - percussion

Mark Mindek Archangel Gabriel on stilts

James Karcher – Devil sword fighter 

 Alex Ross, The New York Times
"A musical play presented by the traditional Italian group I Giullari di Piazza (is) a rarity among Christmas programs; it somehow manages to be both riotously entertaining and   curiously haunting, even profound......a vibrant and uproarious performance."

Jon Pareles The New York Times

The music, directed by John La Barbera, is folkish, aiming for vitality above precision and often achieving both. The adaptation, by the troupe's director, Alessandra Belloni, is geared for action rather than quiet piety; in a climactic battle, Miss Belloni as Maria beat a large drum and sang out while the Angel Gabriel  took on the dragon. Giuseppe de Falco as Razzullo (and Vincenzo Corrao as the birdlike Sarchiapone)  shared slapstick duties.

 

Upcoming Events

Previous events

To celebrate the holidays Italian style, the 43rd anniversary of I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA and our music directors birthday! John La Barbera , sharing food, drink and wonderful music while we celebrate four decades of Alessandra's Belloni's work! During this holiday end-of-year fundraiser, you will meet special people as we also honor Tony and Obie award-winning producing artist and formerly Artistic/Executive Director of Cherry Lane Theatre Angelina Fiordalisi, Award Winning actor Saverio Guerra, Director & Cinematographer Lisa Leone, and Award-Winning Author, Therapist & CEO Alex Iantaffi. Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/igiullaridipiazza/1043310? You will have the opportunity to listen to Alessandra Belloni, author of the book "Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna", published by Inner Traditions-Bear & Company. This fund raiser will also help Alessandra raising funds for her upcoming knee surgery December 21, and her recovery time. This will be such a special celebration of over four decades of work for I Giullari di Piazza, a non profit organization, who are artists in residence at the Cathedral of St. John Divine and who have also performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Symphony Space, to name but a few. The joyous afternoon will include a performance of "Tarantata," by award winning percussionist, singer, author Alessandra Belloni with composer, guitarist John La Barbera, founders of I Giullari di Piazza, in their famed production of "Tarantata," an impeccably researched production rich with songs, tarantellas, and magic rituals used to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, along with healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna. With its authentic music, costumes, and instrumentation, Belloni and company here unite the fascinating and similar legends, traditions, and musical rhythms of Southern Italy and Brasil. And, as always, the fun concludes with audience members being invited to join the cast for a "raise the roof" tarantella. Featuring: Alessandra Belloni - Artistic Director, Percussions and Vocals John La Barbera - Music Director, Composer, Guitar, Mandolin, Chitarra Battente Wilson Montuori - Guitar Joe Deninzon - Violin Steve Gorn - Bansuri Flutes, Saxophones, Clarinet Dancers - Amara & Mark Mindek also playing the commedia character Arlecchino www.alessandrabelloni.com www.igiullaridipiazza.org www.facebook.com/alessandrabelloni54 instagram@belloni.alessandra Press quotes: Don Hackman, writing in the Los Angeles Times, found that "Alessandra Belloni and "Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider" is a revelation, utterly fascinating." Drum Magazine noted that "Italian-born virtuoso Alessandra Belloni is established as a unique phenomenon, not just a percussionist, but also an actress, lecturer, entertainer, and healer." Jon Pareles of The New York Times, reviewing an I Giullari di Piazza show, remarked that "Ms. Belloni sang in an exultant voice. The songs blazed with an age-old momentum." Do not miss this wonderful winter celebration of life, joy, and community! Tickets and donations include dinner and the performance, 75% tax deductible Can't make it to the fundraiser? You can still I Giullari di Piazza non-profit organization under the 501-c-3 code and Alessandra Belloni;s work by donating here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/black-madonna-center General Admission $125.00

Ticket plus a program listing and a CD $150.00

VIP Ticket plus a program listing, CD & Book $175.00

FILM PRESENTATION! Black Madonna Pilgrimage & Summer Solstice Musical Celebration in Sicily

On December 13th, 2023 Internationally renowned singer, percussionist, teacher Alessandra Belloni, Author of ‘HEALNG JOURNEYS WITH THE BLACK MADONNA” together with I Giullari di Piazza Italian Music and Dance company

Filmed, directed and edited by Francesco Piccolo in the summer 2023 produced by Alessandra Belloni & The Black Madonna Center Join us for A MUSICAL JOURNEY TO THE BLACK MADONNA IN SICILY & THE SUMMER SOLSTICE at the MEGALYTHS OF ARGIMUSCO & the ANCIENT SOLSTICE PAGAN FEAST OF U’ MUZZUNI December 13th Celebrating the Feast of Santa Lucia with the Sicilian Folk Music LA SANTA LUCIOTA We will begin with the screening of the film to be followed by live Sicilian Folk Music, featuring: ALESSANDRA BELLONI , artistic director vocals & percussion JOHN LA BARBERA , music director , guitarist & composer , chitarra battente & mandolin STEVE GORN on bansuri flutes, saxophone and clarinet WILSON MONTUORI – Guitar – JOE DENINZON - violin Joseph Giannini accordion and vocals (to be confirmed) · Special guests from Sicily on zoom from the group SUDCANTICA: Federico Chiofalo - accordion, tambourine, guitar, Sebastiano Pietrini - vocals, guitar, tambourine, Santino Scordino – vocals, bagpipe, tambourine, Jew’s harp Francesco Piccolo- film director, editor

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