La Lettera d'Isabella(2015)

20 minutes • Created and Directed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Choreographed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Music: Aurora Barbatelli, Ettore Castagna, Alchemic Folk Orchestra, Tarcisio Beltrami, Lorenzo Anesa, Gustavo Bidasio, Ferlinfeu Ensemble, Ciuma Salve & Tombesi Trio, Carmelo & Paolo Salemi, Tre Martelli

In this original scenario for the commedia dell'arte, protrayed through movement and dance, Isabella's love letter to Horatio goes horribly astray with near disastrous results. Brighella and his not-too-bright accomplice, Arlecchino, mastermind a hysterical plan to foil the plans of Pantalone and Il Capitano.

Bastianelo(2015)

20 minutes • Story Theater/Dance Adaptation • Adapted and Directed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Choreographed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Music: Peron & Ferrero, Compagnia Strumentale Tre Violini, Ricardo Tesi & Banditaliana, Totore Chessa Baraban, Daniele Sepe

A humorous Italian folktale follows a young bridegroom, dismayed by his bride's empty-headedness, as he finds the world full of fools, each one more foolish than the next.

Click to watch an excerpt.

Tarantella Murgiana (2008)
5 minutes • Southern Italian Folk Dance • Choreographed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Music: Traditional Italian, arr. Arakne Mediterranea

Click to watch an excerpt.

Tarantella Calabrese (2003)
5 minutes • Southern Italian Folk Dance • Choreographed by Morgiana Celeste Varricchio
Music: Daniele Sepe

The tarantella, a festive group dance at Italian celebrations, has much darker origins from the Bacchanals of ancient Rome, which themselves originated from the Rites of Dionysus of ancient Greece. Through the temperance of the years and the influence of Christianity, the tarantella lost its pagan trappings, but at its core is a trance dance, offering a physical release to the dancer from the depressions and the “mal di testa” from which she suffers.

Click to watch an excerpt.