If you think you're too sophisticated to enjoy an old fashioned puppet show, I invite you to think again.
Isn't it wonderful to get lost in a story? To escape the everyday, to be focused so entirely on the actions happening before your eyes that all else is temporarily forgotten? This is how it was when we were children, our eyes wide with wonder, enraptured in the moment. And this is how it was for all of us watching the puppet show Arlecchino Malato d'Amore (Arlecchino Lovesick) at NYU's Casa Italiana on March 31, 2010.
Maria Teresa Zenoni poses with Smeraldina. Photo by Rosanne Masone.
The plot goes like this: Arlecchino loves Smeraldina but her father Pantalone rejects Arlecchino in favor of the apparently rich Marquis, whose wealth is a sham and who schemes with his deceitful servant, Brigella, to pay off his debts with Smeraldina's dowry. Arlecchino and his faithful friend, Gioppino, expose the truth and win Pantalone's approval and thereby, Smeraldina's hand in marriage. Does the plot seem familiar? Of course it does. It's just one of a host of centuries-old morality plays drawn from Italy's rich tradition of Commedia dell'Arte.
Commedia dell'Arte developed in the mid-15th century as a form of professional improvised theater incorporating characters throughout Italy. The characters are drawn from Italy's distinct regions, towns, and dialects and over time, became stock characters such as Arlecchino, the Doctor and Pulcinella. The art of pantomime, Harlequin and England's favorite puppet characters, Punch and Judy, all owe their beginnings to Commedia dell'Arte. Some of its plot lines found their way into opera buffa by such composers as Verdi, Rossini and Puccini.
What began as actors on a stage later branched into puppet shows on rolling carts that entertained people in virtually every Italian town. This tradition was brought to America during the great migration of the last century. Many people still recall these shows, held in the streets of Brooklyn and Little Italy (to name but a few), with delight.
Today, master puppet maker Daniele Cortesi continues this tradition. Straight from Caravaggio in the province of Bergamo, near Milan. Cortesi and his small band of dedicated artisans traveled to New York City for a rare appearance. The colorful costumes, endearing characters, beautiful sets and universal themes captured the attention of all the children in the room, aged 1 to 100.
Brigella, Smeraldina and Arlecchino.
The sheer mechanics of the show are daunting. The stage itself had to be constructed in New York, as it was impossible to bring the Bergamo stage abroad. Each puppeteer plays multiple characters, each with different voices and mannerisms. The puppeteers are hidden, standing behind and under the stage with their arms stretched overhead with puppets on each hand. The signature slapstick of the show required precise movement and timing for comedic effect and these experts made it look effortless. To watch a short video of a performance, click here.
Daniele Cortesi describes his mastery of puppet making and performing as a mysterious calling that is difficult to explain. After studying puppet making at La Yorik di Milano, he later studied with master sculptor Natale Panaro at Il Teatro Verdi, also in Milan and Velia Mantegazza. With them, he worked on the children's television show L'Albero Azzurro.
Carolyn Masone poses with Gioppino. Photo by Rosanne Masone.
Cortesi's puppets exemplify distinct characters from Bergamo, and he credits his mentor maestro Benedetto Ravasio with teaching him the very best in Bergamo's puppeteer tradition, from conception to woodworking to performing. For example, Gioppino Zuccalunga, Arlecchino's faithful friend, is made with goiters on his neck. This is because centuries ago the citizens of Bergamo lacked sufficient amounts of the mineral iodine, causing many of them to suffer from goiters. This trait of Gioppino has remained unchanged through the centuries, as with all the Commedia dell'Arte characters.
The rich history, tradition, heart-tugging stories and hilarious comedy are what makes Commedia dell'Arte as relevant today as ever. And all of these elements are lovingly preserved by Daniele Cortesi and his troupe.
To learn more about Daniele Cortesi, including his DVD, Fuori e Dentro La Baracca, and his book, Dare l'Anima, click here.
To learn about future events at NYU's Casa Italiana, click here.
I truly enjoyed learning about this centuries old tradition. Having lived in Brooklyn during the 1950's I can recall seeing push carts with puppeteers. It brought me right back to my childhood. Magnifico, Carolyn, for putting a spotlight on this cultural icon!
Posted by Rosanne Kresky | April 19, 2010 10:56 PM
Posted on April 19, 2010 22:56
Good post, interesting to read about this.
Posted by Malinda Thackston | May 7, 2010 9:10 PM
Posted on May 7, 2010 21:10
I am usually not one to submit comments on people's sites, but for this write up I simply needed to do it. I've been browsing around your website a lot nowadays and I am really impressed, I think you could potentially become one of the main voices for your niche. Not sure what your load is like in life, but if you started commiting more time to posting here, I would guess you would start seeing a lot of traffic eventually. With ads, it could emerge as a great reserve revenue source. Just a concept to think about. Good luck!
Posted by Jeffrey Head | May 14, 2010 9:14 PM
Posted on May 14, 2010 21:14
Thanks, Great article! Very nice
Posted by Anonymous | May 17, 2010 12:35 PM
Posted on May 17, 2010 12:35
Nice to see this
Posted by fargo | May 17, 2010 1:01 PM
Posted on May 17, 2010 13:01
Nice, i like your articles a lot and will be excited to read more
Posted by Anonymous | May 17, 2010 1:48 PM
Posted on May 17, 2010 13:48
Very interesting topic will bookmark your site to check if you write more about in the future.
Posted by betcli | May 29, 2010 2:57 PM
Posted on May 29, 2010 14:57
Thanks for this article it's a breath of fresh air to see a blog without spam.
Posted by Anonymous | June 9, 2010 4:31 PM
Posted on June 9, 2010 16:31
Good article Thank you so much
Posted by Best | June 14, 2010 4:04 AM
Posted on June 14, 2010 04:04
That was a great post. It is inspiring for all. Thanks for sharing that piece.
Posted by Anonymous | June 22, 2010 5:52 PM
Posted on June 22, 2010 17:52
Hey, I just wanted to say what a quality website. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it fascinating reading. Can't wait for your next post!
Posted by Jazmine little | June 27, 2010 7:45 PM
Posted on June 27, 2010 19:45
Awesome blog article. Will read on...
Posted by Anonymous | July 15, 2010 6:52 AM
Posted on July 15, 2010 06:52
Thanks for this interesting information.
Posted by Marquerite Ur | July 15, 2010 11:16 AM
Posted on July 15, 2010 11:16
Just thought i would comment and say neat design, did you code it yourself? Looks great.
Posted by Frankie Thielen | July 26, 2010 2:39 PM
Posted on July 26, 2010 14:39
I'm grateful for you because of this good content material. You truly did make my day :
Posted by hyper fb traffic | September 3, 2010 8:31 PM
Posted on September 3, 2010 20:31
Tremendous report, I have been only browsing for if you guys made a facebook fan page for the website? I tried checking all overfacebook still didn't find it.
Posted by Fun Games | September 3, 2010 10:57 PM
Posted on September 3, 2010 22:57
Your article is very informative and coherent. I'm happy that I stumbled upon your page and hope to find more articles of such caliber on this site in the future.
Posted by Niesha Soose | September 4, 2010 7:59 PM
Posted on September 4, 2010 19:59
The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
Posted by Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet | September 5, 2010 6:56 AM
Posted on September 5, 2010 06:56
I just adore stumbleupon for being able to show me this web page. instant fan now. I have viewed some definitely poor websites on stumble and when I discovered this, I immediately knew it was excellent! This blogpost is informative specifically for somebody like me haha. I've been attempting to read a lot more these days and being able to discover a web page like this can be excellent for my education. Love what you are doing, keep it up!This really is funny, I was just searching about this yesterday. For some motive I discovered this site lol. I'll be coming back again here. This can be a good blog.!..rare for me to stumble on new web sites Cheers :)
Posted by Magic Tricks Tutorial | September 5, 2010 5:22 PM
Posted on September 5, 2010 17:22