Capodanno in Allegria: A Concert Performance in Celebration of the Epiphany

Celebrate the Epiphany with Alessandra Belloni & I Giullari di Piazza in Capodanno in Allegria featuring Neapolitan Christmas music and La Befana (the good witch of Christmas)with excerpts from the acclaimed production La Cantata dei Pastori (the Shepherds’ Cantata)

The original play “La Cantata Dei Pastori (The Shepherd's Cantata)” is based on the traditional Southern Italian play written in the 17th century by Andrea Perrucci and still performed annually in the environs of Naples. This musical version is adapted and directed by Alessandra Belloni with music by John La Barbera and performed in Italian, Neapolitan and Sicilian.

This concert version of the show features beautiful Renaissance Neapolitan music - tarantellas, villanellas and pastorales - all from traditional sources, with original music by John La Barbera. Adaptation and stage direction are by Alessandra Belloni. Songs are sung in Italian and old Neapolitan and Sicilian dialects; costuming and music instrumentation is traditional Southern Italian; narration is in English. The concert ends with Mary and her infant child, joined by the Company, in a reverent performance of the oldest known Neapolitan Christmas song with a nativity scene.

The finale includes a special surprise appearance by the comic character "Gypsy Joe" as La Befana (the good witch of Christmas) following the ancient Italian tradition of the Epiphany, bringing sweets to the good children and coal to the bad ones.

Featuring:
Alessandra Belloni - Artistic Director, Percussions and Vocals
John La Barbera - Music Director, Composer, Guitar, Mandolin, Chitarra Battente
Mara Gerrety -Violin, Vocals

Featuring Gypsy Joe as La Befana

Dancers:

Mindek as the Angel on stilts

Peter de Geronimo – as shepherd & Devil

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Host or Publisher Italian American Museum