Event: Novecento at Manoel Theatre (A Theatrical Journey Across the Sea)
Date: Saturday 22 February 2025 and Sunday 23 February 2025
Time: 20:00 and 17:30 respectively
Venue: Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The Faculty of Arts’ Department of Italian and M.A. in Film Studies are proud to sponsor Novecento, a theatrical production by Costantino Films Ltd, which will be performed at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on 22 February at 20:00 and 23 February at 17:30. Directed by the accomplished Daniela Ardini, the performance features the actor Giovanni Costantino in the lead role, accompanied on the piano by the talented young musician Alessia Bonnici. The sets for the production will be designed by Giorgio Panni, celebrated for his significant contributions to theatre and sculpture.
The monologue inspired Giuseppe Tornatore’s film The Legend of 1900 (1998), which brings to life Novecento’s experiences and relationships aboard the ship while staying true to the core themes of Baricco’s work. Starring Tim Roth in the title role, the film combines stunning cinematography and an unforgettable score by Ennio Morricone, offering a profound reflection on art, identity, and the boundaries of destiny.
Tickets for the performance can be purchased directly from the Manoel Theatre website.
The Faculty of Arts’ Department of Italian and M.A. in Film Studies are proud to sponsor Novecento, a theatrical production by Costantino Films Ltd, which will be performed at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on 22 February at 20:00 and 23 February at 17:30. Directed by the accomplished Daniela Ardini, the performance features the actor Giovanni Costantino in the lead role, accompanied on the piano by the talented young musician Alessia Bonnici. The sets for the production will be designed by Giorgio Panni, celebrated for his significant contributions to theatre and sculpture.
Novecento is a theatrical monologue by Alessandro Baricco that premiered in 1994 and was issued in book form the same year by the renowned Feltrinelli publishing house. Its success has led to translations into numerous languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German. Baricco’s Novecento is set in the early 20th century, spanning the years between 1900 and the 1930s, and tells the story of Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon Novecento, a pianist born and raised aboard a transatlantic ocean liner. Never setting foot on land, Novecento mesmerises passengers with his extraordinary talent, crafting music that mirrors the infinite vastness of the sea.
The monologue inspired Giuseppe Tornatore’s film The Legend of 1900 (1998), which brings to life Novecento’s experiences and relationships aboard the ship while staying true to the core themes of Baricco’s work. Starring Tim Roth in the title role, the film combines stunning cinematography and an unforgettable score by Ennio Morricone, offering a profound reflection on art, identity, and the boundaries of destiny.
The performance at the Manoel Theatre will be in Italian, with subtitles in English and Maltese. On this occasion, a book will also be produced, containing the director’s and production notes, as well as the text of the adaptation in both Italian and Maltese. The book will be sold for ten euros and will be given as a gift to the first twenty attendees.
Tickets for the performance can be purchased directly from the Manoel Theatre website.
