The Sorrow of Love

From Betìa by Angelo Beolco (Ruzante)
Stage Adaptation: Giovanni D’Artibale
Directed by: Germano Rubbi

With the female character ” Betìa, ” the 1400s Italian author Ruzante begins to outline the figure of the peasant form and confronts the debate on the nature of love using the classic Commedia dell’Arte element of “teatro jullaresca,” celebrating pesant sensuality as opposed to the canons of “Platonic” and noble scholarly love. All varieties of neuroses and anxieties emerge in the form of caricature in the protagonists of this play which, if properly observed, provide a comic picture of a renaissance society not all too different from today. The text was originally composed of seven-syllable verses in Paduan dialect, and is offered in a simplified language.

THE PLOT

ruzante1.jpgZilio, a laborer, is madly in love with Betìa, the young daughter of Donna Betìa Menega. Zilio speaks to his merchant friend, Nale, whom he asks for advice on how to seduce the girl. It just so happens that Nale takes a fancy to Betìa as well. Thus, Betìa comes to the realization that she might be able to have two men at once. Betìa is convinced by the young men to run away from home, but her escape is thwarted by her mother. Once the ensuing riot is quelled, a pompous and rustic wedding between Betìa and Zilio takes place, but when Zilio realizes Nale’s desire to be Betìa’s lover, he tries to kill him and Nale’s wife, Tamia, believes he is dead. This results in a series of comic misunderstandings, but everything is resolved by decision of the two couples to share everything, including husbands and wives.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Title: Dolor d’Amore (Sorrow of Love)
Number of actors: 6
Number of musicians: 1
Duration: 1 hour

The show can be performed either outdoors or in a theater. For its implementation, an area of at least 4 feet wide by 3 high is required. For the current lighting equipment required, a power supply of 8 KW is needed.

For more information or to bring this show to your area, please contact Germano Rubbi: germano@digitalispurpurea.org