A Ballad of Gentleness
The sound of a hurdy-gurdy introduces the four actors on stage. At first glance, in their contemporary clothing, they might seem to have just happened to wander inside by chance. But when one of them begins to recite a line in the native
language of Chaucer, one immediately understands that the show has begun. Through the music and words of English authors of Medieval times, what initially may seem to be a simple recital of poetry and music becomes a journey back to the medieval Anglo-Saxon era.
language of Chaucer, one immediately understands that the show has begun. Through the music and words of English authors of Medieval times, what initially may seem to be a simple recital of poetry and music becomes a journey back to the medieval Anglo-Saxon era.
The harmony of medieval music, performed live on stage, accompanied by the development of the show and marks the time in clearly defined and outlined moments, almost as if it were running backward, like a staircase that leads the spectators from the location of the show to a place other time. In this harmonic context, the voices of two actors who recite in English blend perfectly with those of the two who recite in 
Italian, creating a sort of enchanted mirror in which, rather than providing a simple translation of the songs performed, reflect each other like an image that contains all the emotions and feelings of the Anglo-Saxon Medieval period.
Italian, creating a sort of enchanted mirror in which, rather than providing a simple translation of the songs performed, reflect each other like an image that contains all the emotions and feelings of the Anglo-Saxon Medieval period.
The show, which consists of a series of readings in English and Italian from the 1300s accompanied by live music, is a moment of discovery through the power of identification thanks to the physicality of the actors. In this way, the viewer can find himself directly in the world and atmosphere of the Middle Ages, as if he had found in front of his eyes an open book of Chaucer waiting to be read in first person. By providing the opportunity to hear the texts in both mother tongue English and in Italian, the dual purpose of embracing the widest possible target audience and a direct comparison of the two languages in all their sonal and stylistic differences, is achieved.
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
Title: A Ballad of Gentleness (La Ballata della Delicatezza)
Duration: 20 min. 1 hour, can be modified
Actors: 4
Musicians: 4
The show was originally thought to be performed in a protected space (churches, cloisters, halls, etc.) In this case, there are no specific requirements for artificial lighting and sound equipment.
For more information or to bring this show to your area, please contact Germano Rubbi: germano@digitalispurpurea.org
English
Italiano 
