Experience Sicily

Tag: theater

  • Palermo’s Theater of the People

    The revivalist architectural style of Teatro Politeama in Palermo is a late nineteenth century homage to Roman-era amphitheaters like the Colosseum. Built in the early 1870s, it recalls details of buildings uncovered in Pompeii, specifically the columned promenade and decorative frescoes throughout the theater (Excavations of Pompeii, although started slowly in 1748, were strongly underway…

  • Ancient Greek Theater in the Ancient Greek Theater

    The 51st theater season presented by the Fondazione INDA ONLUS is currently underway. Experience Sicily’s Evelina Buttitta Rubino was in Siracusa earlier this week where at the city’s renowned ancient Greek amphitheater, she saw “Le Supplici,” or “The Suppliant Maidens” by Aeschylus. This image is of some of the scenery utilized in the performance that…

  • Pupi Love

    In Palermo’s historic center, generations of Sicilians and visitors to Sicily have been captivated by L’Opera dei Pupi di Palermo, a company started by marionette master Giacomo Cuticchio more than 80 years ago. Today his sons continue the tradition of marionette-puppetry (“pupi”) by presenting captivating productions featuring kings, angels, devils, Arabs, lords, ladies, and fantastic…

  • More Than Six Characters: Pirandello

    Sicilian writer Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936) was most famous for his play “Six Characters in Search of an Author;” however, he wrote more than 40 plays as well as hundreds of short stories and a number of novels–many in Sicilian. He grew up in Kaos (Chaos) outside of Agrigento.

  • Chiesa dello Spasimo, Palermo

    Located in the historic Kalsa district,  the roof-less Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo was once a church, but today it is one of Palermo’s most vibrant stages hosting theater and music performances.

  • Palermo’s Intimate Teatro Bellini

    From when it opened in 1742 through the mid-19th century, the theater that is now known as Teatro Bellini, was the most important hall in Palermo. Originally, the small venue was called Santa Lucia. It was named for one of Sicily’s most famous sons, Vincenzo Bellini, in 1848. Bellini was born in Catania in 1801…

  • Fratelli Mancuso, New-Traditional Sicilian Music

    Fratelli Mancuso are prolific singers and composers originally from Sutera in the province of Caltanissetta. To date, they have recorded 8 albums of original and traditional music inspired by the folk singing of Sicily. They have performed concerts all over Europe and Asia, and this month, as part of the theater piece “Rumore di acque”…

  • Within throwing distance of Palermo’s world-renowned Teatro Massimo is another kind of world-renowned theater: the Opera dei Pupi or marionette opera of Figli d’Arte Cuticchio. For more than 80 years, in various formats, Giacomo Cuticchio’s company has produced mesmerizing performances featuring colorful sets and captivating marionette puppets. The different operas’ stories are set throughout history,…

  • The Bacchae by Euripides in Siracusa

    Sicily’s ancient amphitheaters are host to summer theater festivals that present the ancient Greek and Roman works that may have debuted in the very spot where they are being performed today. Shown is a 2012 performance in Siracusa of The Bacchae by Euripides.