Odysseus’ journey and many contemporary tragic odysseys have a common map, the Mediterranean. Roberto Zappalà uses this map as the starting point for his Naufragio con Spettatore (Shipwreck with Spectator), the first part of ODISSEO, a work that, through a narration of the myth of Odysseus, takes us on a journey on today’s routes of migrants, amidst exhausting sea crossings and countless landings on the coasts of Italy.
A poignant and extremely topical narration that, as the title – borrowed from Hans Blumenberg’s essay – suggests, absolves no one. The journey, hunger, thirst, the risk of dying, are intertwined with lives destined to continue in the shadow, confused identities, and a reception that is never truly welcoming.
The choreographic score of this duet and the intense movement of the performers combine with Luca Ballerini’s piano playing Bach and Marianna Cappellani’s voice singing Charles Gounod’s Ave Maria to produce a vivid picture of a struggle for survival that happens right before the indifferent eyes of many.
Roberto Zappalà has the rare gift of transforming contemporary dance into poetry and metaphor and tackles the theme of migration/emigration with sharp and straightforward gestures.
