One of the most extraordinary works by Claudio Monteverdi, the most universally renowned figure in Italian Baroque music, Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, which celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2024, becomes the foundation of an innovative multidisciplinary project, where music, singing, theater, and dance blend to create a seamless hybrid of performance languages. The choreography is by Philippe Kratz, while the direction is by Fabio Cherstich, whose work combines a strong focus on imagery and a passion for visual languages.
STRA – NATIONAL MUSEUM VILLA PISANI
28 September 2024 – 8:15 PM and 9:15 PM
Duration of each performance: 25 minutes
Direction and visuals: FABIO CHERSTICH
Choreography and stage movements: PHILIPPE KRATZ
Music: IL COMBATTIMENTO DI TANCREDI E CLORINDA by CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI
Dancers: GADOR LAGO BENITO, ALBERTO TERRIBILE
Coproduction: FONDAZIONE NAZIONALE DELLA DANZA / ATERBALLETTO, TEATRO REGIO DI PARMA / FESTIVAL VERDI, TORINODANZA FESTIVAL – TEATRO STABILE DI TORINO – TEATRO NAZIONALE, GHISLIERIMUSICA – CENTRO DI MUSICA ANTICA
Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda is a project aimed at enhancing live performance activities within institutes and cultural sites, promoted by the Directorate General of Museums and co-financed by the Directorate General of Performing Arts.
For the realization of the project, the National Museums of Perugia – Regional Directorate of National Museums of Umbria – and specifically the National Archaeological Museum and Roman Theatre of Spoleto – established, with the support of the Directorate General of Museums, a partnership shared by five other significant cultural sites: Villa Pisani in Stra, the Castle and Park of Racconigi, the Swabian Castle of Bari, the Charterhouse of San Martino in Naples, and the Archaeological Park of Venosa; joining them is Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, which will host the initiative as part of the summer festival Sotto l’angelo di Castello.
SITE-SPECIFIC VERSION
- Church of Sant’Agata – National Archaeological Museum and Roman Theatre of Spoleto (PG) – 12 September 2024 PREMIERE
- Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome – 13 September 2024
- Monumental Complex of the Castle and Park of Racconigi (CN) – 22 September 2024
- National Museum of Villa Pisani, Stra (VE) – 28 September 2024
- Charterhouse and Museum of San Martino, Naples – 03 October 2024
- Swabian Castle of Bari – 05 October 2024
- National Archaeological Museum “Mario Torelli” of Venosa (PZ) – 06 October 2024
- Kosmos – Museum of Natural History of the University of Pavia – 12 October 2024
THEATRICAL VERSION
- PREVIEW: Turin – Torinodanza Festival, Fonderie Limone – 20-21 September 2024
- PREMIERE: Parma – Festival Verdi, Teatro Farnese – 18-19 October 2024
The project is part of Italia Danza, a co-project curated by the Directorate General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of Maeci and CCN/Aterballetto for the promotion of Italy’s artistic heritage abroad.
In my vision of *Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda*, I imagine a confined, circular space where the proximity and similarity of the bodies play a fundamental role. Together with choreographer Philippe Kratz, we explore the idea of bodies as mirrors, thus narrating the story of humanity in a struggle against itself. *Eros* and *Thanatos* emerge as equally powerful forces, creating a paradoxical atmosphere in this perfectly balanced fight between human beings.
In conceiving this new creation, I explicitly draw inspiration from body art, particularly the work of Marina Abramović and Ana Mendieta, who explore the connection between the body, the earth, and primordial rites. I want the combat to reflect the protagonists’ relationship with the surrounding space, incorporating natural elements into their absurd dance of death.
A single voice will give life to three characters: the text itself, Tancredi, and Clorinda will merge into the body and sound of a countertenor. This estranged and forced sound, following a circular path, creates a sense of constant repetition, emphasizing the endless cycle of this love-and-death story, tragically destined to repeat itself through the centuries, reaching us in all its strength—the emanation of the poetic power of Tasso’s words and the magnificent music of Monteverdi.
Fabio Cherstich, Director
A more philosophical or psychoanalytic reading of this struggle, from which both protagonists emerge defeated, deceived, and solitary, seems far more interesting to me. Within the opposition of the two roles, there is already an entire world: the seeking, the confrontation, and the mutual wounding. The dynamic follows the warlike and conflictual ritual of two entities approaching each other. The absurdity of the act manifests when one person loses their life, and we realize that the other, nevertheless, has not won… a strong, shared wound that remains on both bodies. So, are these two people fighting each other, or perhaps is one person fighting against themselves?
Philippe Kratz, Choreographer
The dance and live music project in museums Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda represents a new milestone in the enhancement of cultural heritage through the languages associated with all the arts. With its expressiveness and ability to engage, dance enriches the museum experience, making it vibrant, dynamic, and accessible to everyone. The synergy among the numerous institutions that have collaborated on the project allows us to present the performance in various cultural venues across the country, establishing this initiative among the best practices of the National Museum System.
Massimo Osanna, General Director of Museums
Ministry of Culture
We are pleased that from a project – Italia Danza – born from the Directorate General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy to promote, in partnership with Aterballetto, contemporary Italian dance abroad, has created the bridge that has enabled this format to also be brought into Italian museums through a collaboration between Aterballetto and the Directorate General of Museums. For us, this new partnership confirms the value and modernity of the work that the Directorate General I represent pursues daily to promote Italian culture abroad.
Filippo La Rosa, Deputy General Director for Public and Cultural Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
We are honored to lead such a virtuous project: building a national network capable of bringing baroque melodrama, live music, dance, and contemporary direction into our museums is undoubtedly a remarkable way to enhance our heritage.
The Church of Sant’Agata, part of the National Archaeological Museum and Roman Theatre of Spoleto, seemed to us the most suitable space to host Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda: a place capable of providing an exceptional stage to offer spectators a unique experience of the convergence of languages, from the past to the present. The dancers will perform in an 11th-century environment, in front of the new altarpiece created by the artist Stefano di Stasio, a dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary that fits well with this project.
Costantino D’Orazio, Director of the National Museums of Perugia –
Regional Directorate of National Museums of Umbria
– Contact for information: tel. +39 049 502074
– Evening ticket price (with performance participation) from 20:00 to 23:00: € 1 + € 1 reservation fee
– Regular ticket price from 9:00 to 19:00: € 14 (villa + park + exhibition); € 8 (park + exhibition)
– Ticket purchase: Phone +39.055.2989887 – Website www.vivaticket.com
– Ticket office hours: 9:00 – 22:30
With the purchase of the performance ticket, you can visit the Noble Floor and the exhibition Gente d’Italia Federico Garolla – photographs 1948-1968.
