The Divine Comedy performed by Greta Scacchi and Luigi Di Fiore, set to music by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala di Milano and translated into images in the books of the University College London Special Collections. Presented by BBC World journalist Zeinab Badawi, this multidisciplinary event is offered by the Italian Embassy in London presents across online to celebrate Dantedì 2021 (Dante Day), which this year is the 700th anniversary of the death of the great poet.
‘The initiative is part of Dante 700 in the World‘, said Ambassador Raffaele Trombetta, ‘the collection of events that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is dedicating this year to the Florentine poet on the 700th anniversary of his death. Here in London, we thought it appropriate to work on a high-profile artistic project in part to pay homage to the many English-speaking scholars, writers and poets who have helped, and continue to help today, to promote knowledge and love of Dante’s work in the English-speaking world.’
Greta Scacchi and Luigi Di Fiore will read from Inferno, Purgatory and Paradise in English and Italian, accompanied by pieces by Haydn, Beethoven and Puccini, selected by Maestro Marco Angius and performed exclusively by a string quartet from the Accademia Teatro alla Scala di Milano. The famous verses of the poet recited by the actors will also be interpreted visually in original images of ancient printed editions of the Divina Commedia, held in the University College London Special Collection, with illustrations dating back to the 15th century.
The programme will be broadcast on the Embassy’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels on 25 March from 7pm Italian time (6pm London time). For more information, see amblondra.esteri.it.