I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA

Celebrate Christmas Italian Style with I Giullari di Piazza's  

'LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI' (The Shepherd's Cantata)
Based on the traditional Southern Italian play written in the 17th century by Andrea Perrucci and still performed annually
in the environs of Naples.

Special Winter Solstice Celebration, one show only! 

Friday December 22^nd at 8:00pm

Theater for the New City – 155 First Avenue near 10^th Street

Tickets $ 25.00 www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Musical version adapted and directed by Alessandra Belloni
Music arranged by John La Barbera and directed by Susan Eberenz
Performed in Italian with English narration by La Befana, the good Christmas witch

 "The music, directed by John La Barbera, is folkish.   The adaptation by Alessandra Bellon  is geared for action rather than quiet piety.   In a climactic battle, Miss Belloni as Mary beat a large drum and sang out while the Angel Gabriel took on the dragon."
                                                                                                                             

John Pareles, The New York Times

                                                                          
Come back in time to Southern Italy with I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, the renowned Italian music/theater/dance company, when they present their traditional Southern Italian "La Cantata dei Pastori," (The Shepherd's Cantata) a musical family holiday delight.  

Join the 14-member cast of specialists in Southern Italian instruments, music and dance, playing such characters as La Befana, the Good Witch of Christmas, Mary and Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel (on stilts), Devils, Demons, and the hilarious commedia dell'arte characters who enact this beloved story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the triumph of good over evil.  

The music - tarantellas, villanellas and pastorales - comes from traditional sources, with original music by John La Barbera and directed by Susan Eberenz . Adaptation and stage direction are by Alessandra Belloni.   Songs are sung in Italian and old Neapolitan dialect; costuming and music instrumentation is traditional Southern Italian; narration is in English.   After the fast paced, over-the-top scenes of devils, angels, commedia dell'arte, and general mayhem, the play ends with Mary and her infant child, joined by the Company, in a reverent performance of the oldest known Neapolitan Christmas song, accompanied by traditional bagpipe (yes, in Italy),  (played by guest Giovannagelo de Gennaro, traveling from his home in Apulia, Italy, for these performances).

The play is set during Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, during which the Devil has dispatched demons to stop the birth of Jesus.    Along the way, the holy couple's escapades are entwined with the hapless commedia dell'arte character called Razzullo, a comic mischievous Neapolitan scribe who is always hungry and looking for something to eat.   The demons, in the meanwhile, conjure up tempests, dragons, and do all they can to stop the birth, but all are under the protection of the Archangel Gabriel (played here, in traditional style, by Mark Mindek, well known stilt dancer Mary and Joseph experience funny, outrageous, and dangerous adventures before they finally reach Bethlehem and Good triumphs over Evil!   
Cast:
Alessandra Belloni – Artistic Director- Mary, vocals, percussion

John La Barbera, music directors/composer, classical guitar, mandolin, chitarra battente
Susan Eberenz - flute, piccolo, recorders
Wilson Montuori- classical and renaissance guitar, mandolin
Mara Gerety - violinist as the Devil
Serena Davini- percussion and drumset

Christa Patton : oboe,  Italian Bagpipe

Giuseppe De Falco - Neapolitan singer/actor as the commedia dell'arte character Razzullo
Joel Briel- La Befana
Mark Mindek - stilt dancer as Archangel Gabriel
James Karcher - sword fighter, principal devil 
Francesca Silvano -dancer, shepherdess, devil  
Peter de Geronimo - shepherd, devil
Luca Focella – little Devil , shepherd

Luisa Focella -little Angel, shepherdess

"La Cantata dei Pastori" is still performed annually during the Christmas season in the environs of Naples.   The play was written by Andrea Perrucci (under the pseudonym of Casimiro Ruggiero Ugone), a Sicilian-born, Neap0litan-bred poet/dramatist and well known stage director of his day.  His play combines commedia characteristics with those of the Italian medieval sacra rappresentazione.

A few of the many HIGHLIGHTS of the show:
I Giullari members are masters of the commedia dell'arte style known as "Lazzi," comedic improvisations in commedia dell'arte style, often including grotesque masks, and outrageous props and effects.

The Archangel Gabriel appears, in traditional style, on stilts, and is portrayed by longtime company member Mark Mindek, who has appeared in Metropolitan Opera productions, Disney Films, and special events around the world.  Gabriel saves the day, as he sword fights with the devil, played by James Karcher, actor and fight director whose broad range of credits include appearances as Benedict Arnold on The History Channel to a role in the movie Munich, directed by Steven Spielberg.

The Tempest Scene depicts Mary and Joseph crossing a body of water on their way to Bethlehem and, in true I Giullari di Piazza (the Jesters of the Square) popular street style, their boat is a cardboard cutout fashioned in the shape of a bathtub.

Giuseppe De Falco is a commedia dell'arte master and has a special connection with  "La Cantata dei Pastori," having seen annual street productions in his native Naples Italy.
 
A musical play presented by the traditional Italian group I Giullari di Piazza - a rarity among Christmas programs; it somehow manages to be both riotously entertaining and curiously haunting, even profound...a vibrant and uproarious performance."
                                                                                                                                      

 Alex Ross, The New York Times  

www.igiullaridipiazza.com www.alessandrabelloni.com www.youtube.com/alessandrabella7

www.facebook.com/alessandrabelloni/54

 www.facebook.com/igiullaridipiazza

La Cantata dei Pastori Pulcinella / Razzullo Performed Live on December 12, 2016, Theater For The New City, NYC

https://youtu.be/IVosTaNnXYw

La Cantata dei Pastori  Befana / Marenaresca / Tempest

https://youtu.be/y3fQ7KoViOU

La Cantata dei Pastori Cuncti Simus Angel fights the Devil and the Dragonhttps://youtu.be/5ZlP-LKULiY

La Cantata dei Pastori Mattacino -Angle defeats the Devil https://youtu.be/FhoXG-fFqgE

Quanno Nascette Ninno NATIVITY SCENE (finale) https://youtu.be/7VBZprC1iIY

DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

  PLEASE JOIN

ALESSANDRA BELLONI Artistic Director &  

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, ITALIAN FOLK MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE

FRIDAY DECEMBER 15 2017 at  7:30 pm
 

For a SPECIAL FUND RAISING EVENT

At the Italian American Museum

155 Mulberry Street – near Grand Street Little Italy

HONORING our Supporters:

Mrs. Pamela Morton –

Wilder Knight, Esq.

Arden H. Mason

And more!

Presenting by popular demand

excerpts from "LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI"

A Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas concert

Featuring: La Befana (the Italian Christmas Witch), the Archangel Gabriel on stilts, and Pulcinella from the Italian Commedia dell’Arte

FOOD & REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED & THERE WILL BE A RAFFLE

TICKETS & DONATIONS:

$ 60 general admission https://www.everbutton.com/button/view/3749

$ 75 includes a listing on the program https://www.everbutton.com/button/view/3750

$ 100 includes a program listing and a CD of your choice https://www.everbutton.com/pay/3751

• $ 150 includes a program listing, CD & Book  https://www.everbutton.com/pay/3752
  
  

Reservations and more information: Abelloni@aol.com www.alessandrabelloni.com

 I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA is a non-profit organization under the code 501-C-3 and all donations are tax deductible

LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI was written by A. Perrucci in the 16^th century and rewritten and directed by Alessandra Belloni in 1984. It has been performed by the company for 20 years.

music composed & arranged by John La Barbera

FEATURING THE NEAPOLITAN SINGER /ACTOR GIUSEPPE DE FALCO IN THE ROLE OF RAZZULLO the Pulcinella character that leads the story with

 ALESSANDRA BELLONI in the role of Mary
MARK MINDEK as the Angel Gabriel on stilts, JOEL BRIEL as LA BEFANA,

 SUSAN EBERENZ – flutes, Music Director, WILSON MONTUORI guitar,

 MARA GERETY–in the role of the devil, violin.

Dancers Francesca Silvano & Peter de Geronimo

We need the help of all our supporters because our organization has again been denied our yearly grant from the New York State Council on the Arts which we had received since 1982! This grant made it possible for us to present our programs to the Italian Communities throughout New York State.  Without this grant we are facing a $6,000 deficit for the 2017 fiscal year.

I am very grateful to all of you for your past support which has helped us reach OUR 37^TH ANNIVERSARY!  I am very excited about the opportunity of reviving our favorite show:  

The full production of the acclaimed Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas play LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI, December & 22 at 8:00pm at Theatre for the New City, 155 First Avenue & 10^th Street. Tickets $25.00

Also special school performance on December 10 in East Brunswick NJ and

We need help from our supporters for this beautiful show and to fulfill our winter season celebrating 36years! Our goal is to raise at least $6,000 by December 31st. The total cost of the production is $10,000. We need funds right now to pay for artists fees, publicity, promotion, flyers, rehearsal studio rental, sound and lighting engineers.

Your tax deductible contribution will also help pay adequate fees to an amazing cast of devoted artists who work very hard for its success. 

If you need a tax deduction before the need of the year this is a good cause!

If you cannot attend the fund raiser you can still make a contribution by donating online or by check

to I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, INC,

c/o Alessandra Belloni, 1111 River Road Apt G33 Edgewater NJ 07020

We hope that you can help I Giullari di Piazza to continue to present these powerful musical productions.

Sincerely,

Alessandra Belloni

Artistic Director

CELEBRATE ITALIAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH

Alessandra Belloni –

Ensemble Concert Description with

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA

TARANTELLE E CANTI D'AMORE

Dance/Concert Production

Thursday October 5th - 7:00pm  $ 25.00

Italian American Museum

155 Mulberry St. near Grand St New York

Admission $ 25.00 

The concert features music from the CDs released by SoundsTrue  & Naxos chosen as best Italian CD of the year by the New York Times and the Los Angeles and from the show TARANTELLE E CANTI D'AMORE presented to a sold out audience at Symphony Space in October 2009. 

The ensemble includes :

Alessandra Belloni - lead vocals, percussion ritual dance.

Wilson Montuori - classical guitar

Mara Gerety- violin

Susan Eberenz Flute, piccolo recorders

The program also includes tarantella dancers:

Francesca Silvano, Peter De Geronimo 

This concert is a fiery "journey" through the South of Italy featuring also magic rituals, sensual mystical trance dances performed as ritual by the women of Southern Italy, haunting love songs,  lullabies, processional chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, known as Tammorriata, and more dances as well as original songs by Alessandra Belloni inspired by the rituals and rhythms of Brazil.

The music comes from different regions of Italy, mainly Naples, Calabria, Sicily, Puglia and Sardegna, and it has been arranged with a very unique World Music Sound.

The performance ends with the authentic Pizzzica Tarantata, the healing trance dance from Puglia used as an exorcism to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, a mental disorder that afflicted mainly women, and which goes back to the ancient Greek rites of Dionysus.

At the end of our concert we invite the audience to dance the tarantella or “pizzica” in a celebration of life and good energy unique of the Italians using red ribbons in a circle.

Pizzicarella (Village Scene) from tarantella Spider Dance

http://youtu.be/mWYG6r4ClVE

This concert is a fiery journey through the South of Italy featuring also magic rituals,  healing trance
dances performed as ritual by the women of Southern Italy, haunting love songs,  lullabies, processional
chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, known as :Tammorriata, and the authentic
tarantella, Pizzica Tarantata used to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula. The music comes from different
regions of Italy, mainly Naples, Calabria, Sicily, Puglia . featuring Alessandra Belloni vocals, percussion, Wilson
Montuori guitar, Mara Gerety, Violin, dancers Francesca Silvano and Peter de Geronimo.

ALESSANDRA BELLONI –vocals, tambourines, frame drums,
MARA GERETY violin, WILSON MONTUORI – Electric guitar. 
GIUSEPPE DE FALCO – vocals VINNIE SCIALLA drumset, percussion
dancers: PETER DE GERONIMO 

This fiery "percussive journey" through the South of Italy and crossing to Brazil will explore through songs, dance and rhythm, magic rituals, tarantellas used as music therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula , healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, and the trance dance know as PIZZICA TARANTATA or the Spider Dance. Alessandra Belloni's original compositions honoring Yemanja and Oxun, Goddesses of Love and Waters, Xango, of the Afro- Brazilian Yoruba tradition

This special concert is an enchanting journey of discovery of the seven Black Madonnas, following the ancient Neapolitan legend, known as the "Seven Sisters" in Southern Italy. This trip into traditional legends, miracles and history, transports audiences to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues today with processions, drumming rituals, chanting and sensual dancing in honor of the Black Madonna, who is considered the most important of the seven sisters. She continues to be venerated on a high sacred mountain, which pilgrims still climb barefoot while chanting and drumming in her honor.

The traditional music includes the chant to the Madonna of Monteverrgine (Avellino) La Madonna della Libera (Moiano Benevento), Madonna de li Grazi (Sicily) and Madonna di Seminara Reggio Calabria.

Alessandra will end with of the powerful ritual drumming & dance known as TAMMORRIATA, from the region of Campania, which dates back to the rites of the Mother Earth Goddess Cybele, now worshiped as the Black Madonna.

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

"Voyage of the Black Madonna", 1991 CUNY-TV Segment featuring Alessandra Belloni Excerpted from "Italics: The Italian-American Magazine" produced by CUNY-TV , Dr. Joe Scelsa host -

https://youtu.be/xBAWpVPTJzw



https://youtu.be/vrXtYQCyAzI
from the wonderful presentation 
THURSDAY - SEPTEMBER 8 at

NYU - CASA ITALIANA

lnternationally renowned singer, dancer percussionist
ALESSANDRA BELLONI In TARANTATA –
TARANTELLA TRANCE DANCE 
& BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS & CHANTS SATURDAY MAY 6

ALESSANDRA BELLONI –vocals, tambourines, frame drums,
MARA GERETY violin, WILSON MONTUORI – Electric guitar. 
GIUSEPPE DE FALCO – vocals VINNIE SCIALLA drumset, percussion dancer: FRANCESCA SILVANO 

This fiery "percussive journey" through the South of Italy and crossing to Brazil will explore through songs, dance and rhythm, magic rituals, tarantellas used as music therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, and the trance dance known as PIZZICA TARANTATA or the Spider Dance. Also featuring Alessandra Belloni's original compositions honoring Yemanja and Oxun, Goddesses of Love and Waters, Xango, of the Afro-Brazilian Yoruba tradition.

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA ITALIAN FOLK MUSIC DANCE AND THEATRE OF COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE

PRESENTS:

A DAY IN THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE  

 Special educational program created for Caramoor center for Music and the Arts in 1993 and still in residence there.   Featured on ABC TV:  http://youtu.be/qXSMdLhZdAU

SPRING SEASON 2017: April 17, 19, 21
May 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 25, 26
June 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Experience what thousands of school kids have enjoyed at Caramoor. A Day in the Renaissance takes students to Italy in the sixteenth century with songs and dances, street theater, music, masks and banners and a few words from Will Shakespeare.  I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, (the Players of the Square) comes in colorful costumes, with a special children’s workshop of Italian Renaissance Instruments, music, dance and Theatre of the Commedia dell’Arte.

The actors will explain Italian Renaissance history, talking about the painters, art, sculptures, explorers, music and theatre. The musicians will demonstrate instruments as recorders, viola, violin and renaissance guitar, will demonstrate the masked characters of the comical Renaissance theatre of Commedia dell’Arte including Pulcinella, Arlecchino, Don Giovanni and the woman Ricciulina, and  also  demonstrate a sword fight in Renaissance style. They will teach the song with gestures typical of the Commedia character Ricciulina, and the popular Renaissance dance Tarantella del ‘600 from the 16th century.

The program also features the children’s production of : 

THE ADVENTURES OF DON GIOVANNI AND HIS SERVANT ARLECCHINO a comic opera based on a 16th century Neapolitan Commedia dell'Arte manuscript, the play features the hilarious shenanigans of Arlecchino, his fiancee "Ricciulina" (a servant who falls instead for his master Don Giovanni), and the servant Sebastiano, Ricciulina’s brother, who favors his sister match with the wealthy Don Giovanni rather than Arlecchino. But as usual Don Giovanni does not keep his promises and does not marry Ricciulina who remains a servant and at the end marries the poor Arlecchino. As in the opera, Don Giovanni is punished in the end when he meets a ghost (giant puppet) and he’s taken to hell by the devil in a "dance macabre".

The company is formed by seven artists from this  CAST: 

Alessandra Belloni, Artistic Director, singer, percussionist, dance, John La Barbera, Music Director, Renaissance guitar and mandolin, Mark Mindek, Arlecchino, James Karcher, Don Giovanni, actor /sword fighter, Susan Eberenz, flutes/recorders, Joe Deninzon and Mara Gerety, violin,  Max Mc Guire Actor, (Zanni), Cynthia Enfield, Actress/singer as Ricciulina, Francesca Silvano Dancer

TICKETS $ 25.00 tel (212) 254-1109
http://theaterforthenewcity.net/lacantatadeipastori.html

Celebrate the Holidays Italian Style!
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! the beloved NEAPOLITAN RENAISSANCE CHRISTMAS SHOW LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI (the Shepherds Cantata)

DECEMBER 16 and 17 at 8 PM and DECEMBER 18 SUNDAY MATINEE AT 5 PM, WITH SPECIAL WINTER SOLSTICE PERFORMANCE DATES DECEMBER 21-22 AT 8 PM.


Praise by Alex Ross of the New York Times: 
"A musical play presented by the traditional Italian group I Giullari di Piazza (is) a rarity among Christmas programs; it somehow manages to be both riotously entertaining and curiously haunting, even profound......a vibrant and uproarious performance."

FEATURING: La Befana (the Italian Christmas Witch), the Archangel Gabriel, and Pulcinella from the Italian Commedia dell’Arte!
Based on a Renaissance play by Andrea Perrucci. This musical version has been adapted and directed by Alessandra Belloni and enacted by masked commedia dell'arte characters, puppets, devils, and the Archangel Gabriel on stilts! Narrated in English by La Befana - Good Witch of Christmas. 

Jon Pareles, New York Times:

"The adaptation, by the troupe's director, Alessandra Belloni, is geared for action rather than quiet piety; in a climactic battle, Miss Belloni as Maria beat a large drum and sang out while the Angel Gabriel took on the dragon. Giuseppe de Falco as Razzullo (and Vincenzo Corrao as the birdlike Sarchiapone) shared slapstick duties.The music, directed by John La Barbera, is folkish, aiming for vitality above precision and often achieving both."

"LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI" also features:
THE NEAPOLITAN SINGER /ACTOR GIUSEPPE DE FALCO IN THE ROLE OF RAZZULLO or Pulcinella, the character that leads the story,
ALESSANDRA BELLONI in the role of Mary
MARK MINDEK, dancer on stilts as the Angel Gabriel 
MAX MCGUIRE as LA BEFANA, the Italian Christmas Witch
MARA GERETY, violin, in the role of the Devil
SUSAN EBERENZ, MUSIC DIRECTOR, Flutes, piccolo, recorders
WILSON MONTUORI, guitar
VINNIE SCIALLA, percussion and drum set
JAMES KARCHER, lead devil and sword fighter 
FRANCESCA SILVANO dancer - Devil, Shepherdess, Moon & Sun
LUCA FOCELLA, little shepherd and junior devil


Join La Befana, the Good Witch of Christmas, Mary and Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel, Devils, Demons, and the commedia dell'arte characters who enact this beloved story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the triumph of good over evil. 
The music - tarantellas, villanellas and pastorales - comes from traditional sources, with original music by John La Barbera and directed by Susan Eberenz. Adaptation and direction are by Alessandra Belloni. Songs are sung in Italian and old Neapolitan dialect; costuming and music instrumentation is traditional Southern Italian; narration is in English. The play ends with a singing by the whole Company of the oldest known Neapolitan Christmas song.

The play is set during Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, during which the Devil has dispatched demons to stop the birth of Jesus. Along the way, the holy couple's escapades are entwined with the hapless commedia dell'arte character called Razzullo, a comic mischievous Neapolitan scribe who is always hungry and looking for something to eat. The demons, in the meanwhile, conjure up tempests, dragons, and do all they can to stop the birth, but all are under the protection of the Archangel Gabriel (played here, in traditional style, by Mark Mindek, well known stilt dancer who has appeared in Metropolitan Opera productions, Disney Films and special events around the world.). The holy couple experiences funny, outrageous, and dangerous adventures before they finally reach Bethlehem and Good triumphs over Evil! 

The show is a classic of the Italian Renaissance theatrical tradition of Commedia dell'Arte, rich in "lazzi" or improvised comedic scenes, punchlines, physical comedy and wordplay. I Giullari di Piazza have mastered the traditional Commedia style based on improvisation, rapid-fire jokes and often grotesque humor, outrageous props, vivid costumes and masks, and evocative music and sound effects. 

"La Cantata dei Pastori" is still performed annual during the Christmas season in the environs of Naples. Written by Andrea Perrucci during the height of commedia dell'arte popularity in Italy, it combines commedia characteristics with those of the Italian medieval sacra rappresentazione. These elements are fused in settings which borrow from a third genre, the Italian pastoral drama.
The play's author, Andrea Perrucci, used the pseudonym of Dt. Casimiro Ruggiero Ugone when he wrote "La Cantata dei Pastori." This Sicilian-born but Neapolitan-bred poet and dramatist, who had a reputation in Naples as a stage director, was educated by the Jesuits and received a doctorate in letters.

http://theaterforthenewcity.net/lacantatadeipastori.html

JOIN ALESSANDRA BELLONI Artistic Director &

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, ITALIAN FOLK MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7 AT 7:00PM

For a SPECIAL FUND RAISING EVENT

Italian American Museum, 155 Mulberry Streetnear Grant Street Little Italy

HONORING our Supporters
Prof. MARIO FRATTI, writer; Cav. JOSEPHINE A. MAIETTA, Pres. AIAE; Giullaressa KRISTINE MASSARI, educator; Dr. JOSEPH V. SCELSA, Ed.D

Presenting by popular demand excerpts from

"LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI"

A Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas concert

Featuring: La Befana (the Italian Christmas Witch), the Archangel Gabriel on stilts, and Pulcinella from the Commedia dell’Arte

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED, THERE WILL BE A RAFFLE

TICKETS & DONATIONS:

$60 general admission  $75 includes a listing on the program

$100 includes a program listing and a CD of your choice

$150 includes a program listing and Alessandra Belloni’s Book – RHYTHM IS THE CURE

Reservations and more information

Abelloni@aol.com – www.alessandrabelloni.com, www.igiullaridipiazza.com 646-322-4637

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA is a non profit organization under the code 501-C-3 and all donations are Tax deductible

lnternationally renowned Singer, Dancer Percussionist
ALESSANDRA BELLONI
In TARANTATA –SOUTH ITALIAN GYPSY MUSIC, TRANCE DANCE & BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS & CHANTS

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26 – 9:00pm
MEHANATA BULGARIAN BAR
131 LUDLOW STREET - ADMISSION $ 10.00

ALESSANDRA BELLONI –vocals, tambourines, frame drums,
JOE DENINZON - electric and acoustic violin, WILSON MONTUORI – Electric guitar VINNIE SCIALLA : drumset, percussion special guest dancers! 

This fiery "percussive journey" through the South of Italy and crossing to Brazil will explore through songs, dance and rhythm, magic rituals, tarantellas used as music therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula , healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, and the trance dance know as PIZZICA TARANTATA or the Spider Dance. Alessandra Belloni's original compositions honoring Yemanja and Oxun, Goddesses of Love and Waters, Xango, of the Afro- Brazilian Yoruba tradition

Don Hackman, writing in the Los Angeles Times , found that "Alessandra Belloni and "Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider" is a revelation, utterly fascinating."

Drum Magazine noted that "Italian-born virtuoso Alessandra Belloni is established as a unique phenomenon, not just a percussionist, but also an actress, lecturer, entertainer, and healer."
Jon Pareles of The New York Times, reviewing an I Giullari di Piazza show, remarked that "Ms. Belloni sang in an exultant voice. The songs blazed with an age-old momentum."

Palomma d'ammore & Canto de Sereja 10/13/12 @ Mehanata NYC http://youtu.be/oGgBo7AyqxQ

Tammorriata 10/13/12 Menahata NYC http://youtu.be/6WqQLzxIjKM


Alessandra Belloni’s links to TV appearances:
Alessandra Belloni Live Appearance on ABC-TV7 Chicago http://youtu.be/3J9ZlzKLzPw
Alessandra Belloni featured on CNN Worldbeat http://youtu.be/IkOqBrpcB9Q
Alessandra Belloni "Spider Sex documentary " on National Geographichttp://youtu.be/vp8dE3jJnq0

The concert features music from the CDs released by SoundsTrue  & Naxos chosen as best Italian CD of the year by the New York Times and the Los Angeles and from the show TARANTELLE E CANTI D'AMORE presented to a sold out audience at Symphony Space in October 2009.

 

The ensemble includes :

 

The ensemble includes :  

Alessandra Belloni - lead vocals, percussion, ritual dance. 

 Enrico Granafei - classical guitar 

Susan Eberenz - Flute, piccolo recorders 

Mara Gerety - Violin 

Giuseppe de Falco- Neapolitan singer, guitar

The program also includes tarantella dancers: 

Francesca Silvano, Greta Campo,

 

This concert is a fiery "journey" through the South of Italy featuring also magic rituals,  sensual mystical trance dances performed as ritual by the women of Southern Italy, haunting love songs,  lullabies, processional chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, known as :Tammorriata, and more dances as well as original songs by Alessandra Belloni inspired by the rituals and rhythms of Brazil..

 

The music comes from different regions of Italy, mainly Naples, Calabria, Sicily, Puglia and Sardegna, and it has been arranged with a very unique World Music Sound.

 

The performance ends with the authentic Pizzzica Tarantata, the healing trance dance from Puglia used as an exorcism to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, a mental disorder that afflicted mainly women, and which goes back to the ancient Greek rites of Dyonisus.

 At the end of our concert we invite the audience to dance the tarantella or “pizzica” in a celebration of life and good energy unique of the Italians using red ribbons in a circle.

A special outdoor performance by ensemble-in-residence I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA for the traditional "Blessing of the Animals" service on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of nature and animals. 

This fiery "percussive journey" through the South of Italy and crossing to Brazil will explore through songs, dance and rhythm, magic rituals, tarantellas used as music therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula , healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, and the trance dance know as PIZZICA TARANTATA or the Spider Dance. Alessandra Belloni's original compositions honoring Yemanja and Oxun, Goddesses of Love and Waters, Xango, of the Afro- Brazilian Yoruba tradition. 

Featuring:
Alessandra Belloni - vocals, frame drums and percussion
Wilson Montuori - guitar
Susan Eberenz - flute, piccolo, woodwinds
Mara Gerety - violin
Giuseppe De Falco - Neapolitan traditional singer
Vinnie Scialla - percussion

Alessandra Belloni and I Giullari di Piazza will perform at the Bohemian Festival 2016, organized by MEHANATA Bulgarian Bar in celebration of world music and dance. 

This fiery "percussive journey" through the South of Italy and crossing to Brazil will explore through songs, dance and rhythm, magic rituals, tarantellas used as music therapy to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula , healing chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, and the trance dance know as PIZZICA TARANTATA or the Spider Dance.


Featuring:
Alessandra Belloni - vocals, frame drums and percussion
Wilson Montuori - guitar
Susan Eberenz - flute, piccolo, woodwinds
Mara Gerety - violin
Giuseppe De Falco - Neapolitan traditional singer
Vinnie Scialla - percussion

This concert, presented as part of Hofstra University's annual Italian Festival, features music from the CDs released by SoundsTrue & Naxos chosen as best Italian CD of the year by the New York Times and the Los Angeles and from the show TARANTELLE E CANTI D'AMORE presented to a sold out audience at Symphony Space in October 2009. 

The ensemble includes : Alessandra Belloni - lead vocals, percussion, ritual dance.
Wilson Montuori - classical guitar
Susan Eberenz - Flute, piccolo recorders
Mara Gerety - Violin
The program also includes tarantella dancers:
Francesca Silvano, Greta Campo, Peter De Geronimo

This concert is a fiery "journey" through the South of Italy featuring also magic rituals, sensual mystical trance dances performed as ritual by the women of Southern Italy, haunting love songs, lullabies, processional chants and ritual drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, known as Tammorriata, and more dances as well as original songs by Alessandra Belloni inspired by the rituals and rhythms of Brazil..

The music comes from different regions of Italy, mainly Naples, Calabria, Sicily, Puglia and Sardegna, and it has been arranged with a very unique World Music Sound.

The performance ends with the authentic Pizzzica Tarantata, the healing trance dance from Puglia used as an exorcism to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula, a mental disorder that afflicted mainly women, and which goes back to the ancient Greek rites of Dyonisus.
A big feature of the show is the amazing stilt dancer Mark Mindek, who plays different masked characters while dancing wildly on stilts.

At the end of our concert we invite the audience to dance the tarantella or “pizzica” in a celebration of life and good energy unique of the Italians using red ribbons in a circle.


Alessandra Belloni’s links to TV appearances:

Alessandra Belloni Live Appearance on ABC-TV7 Chicago http://youtu.be/3J9ZlzKLzPw

Alessandra Belloni featured on CNN Worldbeat http://youtu.be/IkOqBrpcB9Q
Alessandra Belloni "Spider Sex documentary " on National Geographichttp://youtu.be/vp8dE3jJnq0

Pizzicarella (Village Scene) from tarantella Spider Dance
http://youtu.be/mWYG6r4ClVE

YouTube Playlist: Tarantelle Canti D'Amore 10/30/09 at Symphony Space in New York 2009
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=79FD7875439A4D1C

Singer, percussionist, healer and director Alessandra Belloni, joined by her Italian folk music/theater/dance company I Giullari di Piazza, present the special celebration The Voyage of the Black Madonna, on the occasion of her festivity.

The performance is a musical journey around the world, among the ancient sacred sites of the Black Madonna. This unique and impeccably researched theater and dance work blends healing chants, dances and drumming in honor of the Black Madonna, created from authentic traditions of Southern Italy and Spain, along with original compositions.

Belloni and her troupe of dancers, actors, and musicians, all specialists in Southern Italian traditions, take audiences on an enchanting journey of discovery of the seven Black Madonnas, known as the "Seven Sisters" in Southern Italy. This trip into traditional legends, miracles and history, transports audiences to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues today with processions, drumming rituals, chanting and sensual dancing in honor of the Black Madonna, who is considered the most important of the seven sisters. She continues to be venerated on a high sacred mountain, which pilgrims still climb barefoot while chanting and drumming in her honor.

Following the Neapolitan tradition, the company will perform the chant for the Black Madonna of Montevergine, followed by the Tammprita drumming and sensual dance. The healing power of medieval prayers to the Madonna originated in the Middle Ages, during the Black Death Plague, and was believed to release people from their overpowering fears of death and the annihilation of their way of life.

Internationally renowned Singer, Dancer, Percussionist 

ALESSANDRA BELLONI & I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA

Italian Folk Music & Dance Company

Artist in residence at the Cathedral of  St.  John the Divine Invite you to CELEBRATE  THE ANCIENT NIGHT OF THE TARANTULA and the Feast of the TARANTATI, Feast of St Paul in Apulia with

 " TARANTATA – SPIDER DANCE "

Featuring  TARANTELLA TRANCE DANCES, HEALNG CHANTS FOR THE BLACK MADONNA ending with BRAZILIAN RHYTHMS

Traditionally celebrated for centuries in a Church in a collective Euphoria to heal from depression & sadness caused by unrequited love & abuse  

 Featuring excerpts of the musical Tarantella Spider Dance

 about the myth of the spider &  ecstatic rites of Dionysus

ALESSANDRA BELLONI –lead vocals, ritual dance, tambourines, frame drums,

JOE DENINZON - electric and acoustic violin WILSON MONTUORI – electric & acoustic guitar, SUSAN EBERENZ – flute, piccolo, recorders -

PETER ABAZIA - drum set, percussion- 

GIUSEPPE DE FALCO- Neapolitan singer

Dancers:  PETER DE GERONIMO in the role of Dionysus, FRANCESCA SILVANO in the role of the tarantata,   GRETA CAMPO,

AMARA – in the role or Aracne Stilt dancer  MARK MINDEK

 Alessandra Belloni "Spider Sex documentary” on National Geographic http://youtu.be/vp8dE3jJnq0

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The "Spider Dance" or Tarantella, is a quite erotic trance dance ritual from Southern Italy, which has been used to cure the mythical bite of the tarantula. This new 'Spider Dance' production infuses the ancient melodies and instrumentation of the authentic tarantella with modern electronic dance beats. It features aerial, fire and stilt dancers, acrobats and a techno Tarantella trance dance. As with all of Belloni's presentations, the show is meticulously researched, with costumes and instrumentation as authentic as possible. The music ranges from traditional 6/8 southern Italian to 12/8 heavy-accented modern sounds, and includes tarantellas, sensual love songs, and women's work chants.

Reenacting the ancient celebration  of the TARANTATI TRANCE RITUAL on June 29^th,for the Feast of St Paul that took place in a church for  many centuries!

- Spider Dance" - abuse, repressed sexuality, powerlessness, and the feeling of being "caught in a web that binds them" - causes many women, known as "tarantate" to suffer "tarantismo" - a lethal mixture of depression, loneliness, and oppression. Their cure is to dance the "pizzica tarantata"- The Spider Dance!

We witness the healing journey of a "tarantata" as she is taken by Dionysus to the shaman (Alessandra Belloni), who cures her with the tarantella trance dance. Her amazing journey includes

** a powerful procession of the Black Madonna in Southern Italy

** a healing ceremony of the pizzica tarantata, the wild erotic trance dance, attended by townspeople in the piazza.

  THE VOYAGE OF THE BLACK MADONNA

An Interfaith Healing Concert Dedicated to World Peace,

featuring ancient chants to the Black Madonna from Southern Italy

Belloni and her troupe of dancers, actors, and musicians, all specialists in Southern Italian traditions, will take audiences on an enchanting journey of discovery of the 7 Black Madonnas, known as the "Seven Sisters" in Southern Italy. 

This trip into traditional legends, miracles, and history, transports audiences to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues with processions, drumming rituals, chanting and sensual dancing in honor of the Black Madonna, who is considered the most important of the 7 sisters.   She continues to be venerated on a high sacred mountain, where pilgrims still make the trip up the mountain, barefoot while chanting and drumming in her honor. 

The full-length Voyage of the Black Madonna, written by Alessandra Belloni and premiered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 1991, has been performed since then at numerous festivals and venues, including the Los Angeles Sacred Music Festival, the New York Open Center, and Glastonbury Goddess Festival.  

The work includes rare chants that have never been heard outside of the live ceremonies in Italy, and has now been recorded on a few of I Giullari di Piazza's CDs, including Earth, Sun and Moon, Tarantata - Dance of the Ancient Spider (Sounds True), Tarantelle and Canti d'Amore, Tarantella Spider Dance.