An unpublished letter (with a note by Teresa Megale and the programme of “La cantata dei pastori” by Andrea Perrucci, revised by Annibale Ruccello)

Abstract

Annibale Ruccello (1956-1986) was one of the protagonists of the ‘new Neapolitan dramaturgy’, in Italy in the 80s. The unpublished letter from Ruccello to Gastone Venturelli shows an intense relationship between two persons working on the history of popular traditions, who were united by their passion for the theatre. The document also reveals Ruccello’s early position with regard to direction, production and theatrical organization. Besides the letter, we are publishing the programme of the Cantata dei pastori (The Shepherds’ Cantata), a performance that was inspired by the pastoral of the same name, written by the seventeenth century Neapolitan author, Andrea Perrucci. The song and its numerous variations were examined by the actor-director in the book Il sole e la maschera (The Sun and the Mask) and compared to the prevalence of oriental cults in the maritime towns of the Western Mediterranean.