“The Stolen Caravaggio”, a work by three great Sicilians recounts the Palermo of theft. Today at 2.45 pm press conf. with Giovanni Sollima, Letizia Battaglia, Attilio Bolzoni. On the 5th the debut and inauguration of the large retrospective dedicated to the photographer.
It was stolen on the night between 17 and 18 October 1969, an episode that recounts a crucial season in the city of Palermo, oppressed by Mafia violence and silence. The theft of Caravaggio’s Nativity, never to be found again, is the inspiration behind the opera scheduled to be premiered at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March. A project that brings together three great Sicilians: composer and cellist Giovanni Sollima, photographer Letizia Battaglia, and journalist and writer Attilio Bolzoni. Sollima signs the music (as well as conducting the orchestra and playing the solo cello part), Battaglia the images, Bolzoni the text, of which he is the narrator. Directed by Cecilia Ligorio, Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Massimo, Chorus Master Pietro Monti. Staging commissioned by the Teatro Massimo, in co-production with the Teatro Massimo Bellini of Catania. The opera is part of the celebrations for Letizia Battaglia’s 80th birthday, which on Saturday 5 March also include the inauguration of a large exhibition promoted by the city’s Culture Department in collaboration with the Sambuca Foundation at the Zac space of the Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa.
Today, Wednesday, 2 March at 2.45 p.m. at the Teatro Massimo (Palco Reale), the press conference presenting the opera and the exhibition.
Participants will include Leoluca Orlando, mayor and president of the Fondazione Teatro Massimo; Francesco Giambrone; superintendent of the Teatro Massimo; Andrea Cusumano; councillor for Culture of the Municipality; Oscar Pizzo, artistic director of the Teatro Massimo; Giovanni Sollima; Letizia Battaglia; Attilio Bolzoni; and Paolo Falcone of the Sambuca Foundation, curator of the retrospective.