Fano's Teatro della Fortuna, one of the most beautiful and elegant houses in Europe, dating back to the 17th century, opens again its doors Apr. 21, after a 50-year-long closure, with a preview of Wings on Rock, Bob Wilson's latest show set to world premiere next June at the Festival de Saint-Denis in France.
Heavily damaged by the German troops during the Second World War, Fano's Teatro della Fortuna has been carefully restored and brought back to its splendour. The original structure, built between 1665 and 1677 by the famous architect and set designer Giacomo Torelli, had to be demolished in 1839. A new theatre was built between 1845 and 1863 by Luigi Poletti, and quickly became one of the most active theatres in Italy, hosting performances by Eleonora Duse, Ernesto Novelli and Ermete Zacconi, before remaining dark for over 50 years. The new house, whose stage has been fit with the most modern technologies, will host drama, concerts and exibitions.
Bob Wilson's Wings on Rock is inspired to Antonine de St. Exupery's novel The Little Prince and stars 20 year-old French actor Francois Chat in the role of the young prince, and dancer Marianna Kavaillieratos, whose credits include Wilson's Une femme douce and Persephone.
Featuring costumes by Japanese top fashion designer Kenzo Takada, original music by Pascal Comelade and lighting by A.J. Weissbard, the show is produced by Change Performing Arts under the commission of the Festival de Saint-Denis.
It's a boom time for Bob Wilson in Italy, with Wings on Rock previewing in Fano, Ocean Flight due to perform in Taormina Apr. 17 and 18, and Lady from the Sea, his first Italian direction, in its second week of rehearsals in Ferrara, where it will world premiere on May 5. And there is more: according to national newspaper Corriere della Sera, Wilson is rumoured to be one of the possible candidates for the direction of the Piccolo Teatro, a vacant position following Giorgio Strehler's death last December. Wings on Rock will play in Fano thru Apr. 23. For further information call the box office at +39 721 80.07.50 or visit the website.
--By Stefano Curti
Italy Correspondent
