The Divine Comedy Opera Musical,
based on Dante's immortal poem, is ready to cross national
borders, landing in China on April 25 for a long tour scheduled
until September, touching 15 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai
and Hong Kong.
The theatrical blockbuster offers two and a half hours of
immersive show exploring Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, with
about 60 Italian artists involved, spectacular technological
effects and the immortal word of Dante acting as a bridge to
unite different cultures and peoples.
Directed by Andrea Ortis, also author of the texts with
Gianmario Pagano, with music by Monsignor Marco Frisina and
produced by Francesco Gravina for Mic International Company, the
musical was presented on March 25, Dantedì (Dante Day), at the
Dante Alighieri Society in Rome on Tuesday, the date being the
one scholars reckon the Supreme Poet embarked on his journey
into Hell after finding himself in the 'dark wood' of midlife
crisis.
Conceived in 2007, after years of success in Italy, the show is
now preparing to conquer the Asian public, with its mix of
theater, music and dance.
But, in the turbulent times we live in, between geopolitical
tensions and growing divisions, the director said the goal is
also "another, that of creating an opportunity for dialogue
between two ancient civilizations: on one side, Italian culture
with Dante's masterpiece and his powerful narration of universal
themes such as justice, redemption and human destiny, on the
other, the Chinese philosophical and literary tradition, with
its ancient roots and its inspiration towards spirituality.
"Beauty is a bridge that can never collapse, it goes beyond time
and space. Dante built the identity of our culture which is the
language. We now take the Silk Road again like Marco Polo and go
to China offering our identity through Dante and the Italian
language. It is not just bringing a musical to another country:
it is the ability of Italian culture to cross every barrier",
said Ortis.
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