In the second half of the eighteenth century, the Kingdom of Naples was one of the main centers of Illuminism in Italy. The kingdom’s reform programme aimed at strengthening the state and reducing the privileges of the church, and it followed the Illuminism model practised by many European sovereigns. During this time, intellectuals play the roles of advisors, collaborators, critics of the sovereign’s work, in favour of social change. Eleonora de Fonseca Pimentel or ‘Donna Lionora’ was a woman, intellectual and writer of the time who fully embodies this function of renewal and contributed to it not only through her literary production. Her living room became the meeting place for the new generations of intellectuals who were less moderate and more progressive and who were inspired by the French Revolution and who first dreamed and then created the Neapolitan Republic in 1799. But the Republic had a very short life. The historical event in the novel by Enzo Striano is told from Eleonora’s point of view, and my research was aimed at finding the scenic form to express the internal focus of the narration of historical events.
CREDITS
Text: Maurizio Braucci from the novel Il resto di niente by E. Striano
Direction: Alessandra Felli
With: Teresa Saponangelo
Music: Francesco De Nigris
Lys: Gigi Saccomandi
Set and costume: Marta Crisolini Malatesta
Production: Teatro Nazionale di Napoli | Teatro Mercadante
VIDEO
PICTURES
PRESS
Mimmo Sicca, The “capital” performance of Teresa Saponangelo, Roma 13 March 2016
«A great performance by Teresa Saponangelo, protagonist, with her monologue, of Sviluppo di Donna Lionora directed by Alessandra Felli. (…) The acting, expressiveness and body language of the actress keep the audience’s attention high, involving them in Eleonora’s whirlwind existential evolution. (…) The prolonged applause of the audience is deserved. Good direction by Alessandra Felli and confirmation for the already appreciated adaptation by Maurizio Baraucci».
Stefano De Stefano, Eleonora Pimentel’s monologue becomes polyphonic, Corriere del Mezzogiorno, 16 March 2016
«An hour of exciting chamber theatre, directed with measure by Alessandra Felli, and again with the talented Teresa Saponangelo».
Bizarra 