Tag: Gabriele Palladino

Chi è Gabriele Palladino?

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo, Nonna's Trips & Events

Who is Gabriele Palladino? Author, Actor, Musician, Journalist, Director, Producer, Father, Administrator… Did you ever meet someone and think – damn – he really is an artistic whirling dervish! The other day at Bar Elimar, he raced toward me and tossed his latest artistic work at me. I caught it – the book could have winged Jack’s wine and I’d been in big trouble. It was a collection of poems, Collana di Poesia: Le Loci di Via Margutta. I had no idea he was a poet too.

That night I sipped an adult beverage and read work that was incredibly relatable. Moments in time, love, Covid, horrors of war – all themes we have read before but in his short works the themes sang straight through to our souls.

But just who is this interesting man? The first time I met Gabrielle, he was playing the guitar and singing in a restaurant. The next time, he was pitching his book on the ancient dialect of Pontelandolfo, R sc’pird’ rr vallon’ Sc’picciarégl’ – Parlavam’ accussì – ll dialetto di Pontelandolfo. Is that Gabarile up on the stage as MC/ Host of the folkloric dance festival? Yup it was and it has been for every season since. I went to the library to find out more about the town’s most famous sport – ruzzola – cheese rolling. Of course I found a lovely book, Pontelandolfo – Le tradizioni: La Ruzzola del Formaggio, written by none other than – you guessed it – Gabrielle Palladino.

Crimes, I’ve unearthed one of Pontelandolfo’s true creative spirts. I found out he was a journalist when a story about our very first group of culinary adventurers visiting Pontelandolfo ran in the daily paper. The article was great and touted Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo written by – non other than… Gabriele – did I ever say thank you???? I’ve read his stories in both regional dailies and local weekly/monthlies.

 Dramma Sacro Santa Giocandina, the Sacred Drama of Santa Giocondina, has been performed in the Sannio Hills since 1872. I am betting that the version directed by Gabriele ranks as one of the best. Watching him direct is ethereal. He traverses the space and becomes one with his performers. Gabriele is a director, I wished I could have worked with. The event is produced every four years. Keep your eyes peeled for the next cycle.

Last week I went to see a play written by my friend Michele Albini. Check out the cast list on the poster –

See a familiar name? Gabriele was spot on throughout the work. Damn, this guy really is a renaissance man.

I just ran out to look at my book case to see how many of Gabriele’s books I had – not enough. Some of his other works include: Miti, leggende, superstizioni, credenze, tradizioni – magiche fantasie popolari, 13 settembre 1943 Il bombardamento di Petrillo – Albo dei Caduti della Prima Guerra Mondiale, Breve triste storia occultata del Risorgimento Italiano ovvero R sc’pird’ rr vallón’ Sc’picciarégl’, Storie da ricordare – In memoria del Commissario di P.S. Celestino Zappone nel cinquantenario della sua morte, and Pontelandolfo: “O brigante o emigrante – Il grande esodo – I fratelli d’oltreoceano.”

There is a lot of history, sadness and humor in that list. I will admit, the village dialect is a whole other language and I haven’t been able to make a dent in understanding it. What is amazing is how many people around the world do understand the dialect and have his books. From Argentina, Canada, Australia and the United States, people who grew up with families that emigrated from Pontelandolfo, proudly immerse themselves in the dialect. It is on my bucket list to learn.

And have I mentioned awards? This man – if he were British – would be knighted. He he weren’t so nice and supportive of all things Pontelandolfo, I’d be jealous. Check out this awards list –

  • Agosto 1983    XXI Settimana Folk Pontelandolfo
    • Premio poesia in vernacolo
    • 1° classificato con la poesia “Vécchjœ miœ”.
  • 23 Maggio 1999
    • Diploma di merito Premio Internazionale di Poesia “Principe Landolfo” 2° Edizione
    • Diploma di merito e targa “Meridiano Sud” con la motivazione: “per la sua abilità nel campo musicale e per la poliedrica capacità creativa”
  • 14 settembre 2003
    • Premio Letterario Francesco Flora 2003
    • Attestato di Benemerenza con l’opera bibliografica “Il Brigante Patriota Donato Palladino” – Registrato all’albo della II edizione sez. III n. 35
  • Agosto 2011
    • 1° Concorso Internazionale di Poesia e Teatro “Il canto dei poeti celebra la Città Martire”
    • 1° classificato sezione vernacolo con la poesia “O br’and’ o emigrand’”.

There is something in the Pontelandolfo air, water and life that fosters creativity. Gabriele is not the only writer whom I have met here. You will be reading about others soon. I think it was meeting and appreciating the circle of contemporary writers living here that was the catalyst for me working with Write Where You Are to produce a playwright’s retreat in Pontelandolfo.

Actually, you can meet Gabriele and other Pontelandolfo creative types this October. Due to an illness in a participant’s family there are two open spots. This google slide show tells the story. You can always email me at info@nonnasmulberrytree.com for more information.

Let your creative juices fly wherever you are. For me it is Pontelandolfo.

Ci vediamo, Midge.

Paperback walking tour of historic Pontelandolfo is waiting for you! Available at Amazon.

Dramma Sacro Di Santa Giocondina

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo

Need an excuse to come to Southern Italy?  Here is a great one – a production of the story of Santa Giocondina.  The play is produced every four years – so if you miss it there is a long wait to see it again.  Every four years, residents of Pontelandolfo come together to share the story of this Christian martyr.  The catalyst for the production is a relic of the Saint that the parish is privileged to own .  It is a huge undertaking!  The cast of twenty six plus people rehearse two nights a week for months in the village’s theatre.  Elaborate costumes are made.  Sets are built and the community gathers to see the life and torture of the Saint.  This year Gabriele Palladino,  the artistic director is putting the cast through their paces.

Rehearsal

I snuck into a rehearsal and was impressed with the caliber of actors I saw on the stage.  They were in the moment, took the roles seriously and we’re obviously committed to bringing realism to the stage.  When I mentioned that to Jack he reminded me where I had been a few weeks ago and why the actors were comfortable on the stage.  You might remember, I went to the Scuola dell Infanzia to see an end of year production called “Paese Mio Che  Stai  Sulla Collina.”   In case you missed the story –  5 Year Old Actors Rock The Stage. The ritual of performing is ongoing throughout all grades.  As are class trips not to theme parks but to wonders of art and architecture.  Residents as young as three years old perform with the folklorico dance company – Ri Ualanegli Di Pontelandolfo.   The arts are a part of life in Pontelandolfo.  (Hmm – maybe that explains my families artistic bent.)

During the rehearsal, I heard actors question Gabriele about their motivation.  Gabriele gently led the actors down the path to the through line of the story.  The narrative places in context the antithesis between good and evil – salvation and damnation. I witnessed characters growing under his guidance.  The cast includes a cross section of the community and all take their roles seriously.  Become their FaceBook pal and see more pictures.

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Eleonora Guerrera (I don’t think we are related) is doing a stellar job portraying Giocondina the tortured Saint.  I asked her how she felt about creating the character –

Quando mi è stato chiesto di recitare nel dramma sacro di Santa Giocondina come protagonista, è stato per me un grande onore accettare la parte, nonostante i miei tentennamenti!! Il gruppo che si è creato è molto affiatato, come una famiglia; lo svolgimento delle prove una boccata d’ossigeno; far parte di un gruppo come questo può solo farmi crescere. Sono felice dell’esperienza che sto vivendo e ringrazio Gabriele Palladino per la fiducia riposta in me e per aver tirato fuori qualcosa che non ero al corrente di avere!

When I was asked to perform the sacred drama of Santa Giocondina as the protagonist, despite my hesitation, it was a great honor to accept the part!!
The group of performers that has been created is very close-knit, like a family. The development of the work as been a breath of fresh air for me. Being part of a group like this can only make me grow as performer. I’m happy that I’m living the experience and thank Gabriele Palladino for the confidence placed in me and for having pulled out something in me that I was not aware of having!

Costumes

The 2016 production features Eleonara Guerrera,  Paolo Tranchini, Michela Delli Veneri, Gianmarco Castaldi, Antonio Addona, Giovanni romano, Gennaro Del Negro, Salvatore Griffini, Davide Cocciolillo and Antonio Silvestre.  Angels are played by Serena Romano, Paula Corbo and Margherita Sforza.  There are countless others in the cast in supporting roles.  The assistant directors is Dolores Del Negro. Director, Gabriele Palladino wrote an article on the back story for Pontelandolfo News – which can be read in English.

The production is slated for the end of July – just before the week long festa of San Salvatore.  Buy that plane ticket and come visit Pontelandolfo in time to see the Dramma Sacro Di Santa Giocondina!

Ci Vediamo.