La Cantata Di Natale: A Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas concert

A special Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas concert presented by Alessandra Belloni and John La Barbera.

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. The songs are sung in Italian and old Neapolitan and Sicilian dialects. Costuming and musical instrumentation are traditional Southern Italian with English narration.

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.

Featuring:
Alessandra Belloni - Artistic Director, Percussions and Vocals
John La Barbera - Music Director, Composer, Guitar, Mandolin, Chitarra Battente
Mara Gerrety - Violin, Vocals Christa Patton - Recorders, Oboe, Harp Dancers: Mark Mindek as the Angel on stilts and Peter de Geronimo

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Host or Publisher Italian American Museum