“The Betrothed” at NYU and All Around the U.S.

 

I promessi sposi at NYU. Photo courtesy i-italy.org

Interpreting Alessandro Manzoni’s I promessi sposi (The Betrothed), one of the most universally read books in the Italian schools (and probably most detested by students) is a formidable task. Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, author and former Commissioner for Cultural Affairs of the City of Milan, has been able to do it, however. And in his interpretation, he even explores the modernity of this famous love story.

On June 15, at Casa Italiana Zeffirelli-Marimò (NYU),  Mr. Finazzer Flory has performed a monologue based on The Betrothed. He was accompanied on stage by Gilda Gelati, prima ballerina of la Scala Theatre Ballet Company of Milan, and Elsa Martignoni, violinist of the Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra of Milan.

The story is well known. In the 17th century, in a village on Lake Como in Northen Italy, Renzo and Lucia, a young couple, are prevented from marrying by the local tyrant, don Rodrigo, who wants the girl for himself. Forced to flee, they will have to overcome many challenges before reaching their happy ending. Of course the novel is about much more than this. Mr. Finazzer Flory has selected and performed some of the most moving chapters of the novel, which explore the themes of humility, charity and death. “I wanted to make of each chapter a unique drama. There are five small tragedies and one final small comedy,” says Mr. Finazzer Flory.

On the stage, the actor performed the confrontation between the arrogant don Rodrigo and the heroic Padre Cristoforo. Then, he became the peasant girl Lucia saying farewell to her home, with the same deep sorrow that today immigrants experience. He walked in Milan on the verge of a riot, which – so much as it happens today – was caused by famine and poverty. In the next scene, Mr. Finazzer Flory turned into Renzo witnessing the horror of the plague. He concluded with a smile at the end, after the happy ending end the marriage of Renzo and Lucia.

“It is a universal drama and shows the need to represent humble people in their fight for love and against evil,” the director and performer says. He has brought Lucia and Renzo’s story to the US as part of the celebration for the 150th anniversary of the Italian Unification. “This story speaks about us, Italians. It says that we are contradictory, and that, at the end of the day, we are able to turn our contradiction into strength.” He says.

Mr. Finazzer Flory is performing The Bethrothed all around the US.
All the information about the tour are available on the website
www.finazzerflory.it

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