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A graduate in Philosophy from the University of Bologna with a dissertation on Plato and Dance, Monica Casadei acquired in Italy, France and Great Britain a solid preparation in the techniques of Western contemporary dance. Decisive in her artistic formation are also some Eastern influences as a result of stages spent in India and China and from her training in the martial arts. In 1994 Monica Casadei founded, in France, the Compagnia Artemis Danza, with which she moved to Italy in 1997. From 1998 to 2007, the company is in residency at Teatro Due-Teatro Stabile di Parma e Reggio Emilia and from May 2014 at Teatro Comunale di Bologna.
Up to now, Artemis Danza has staged more than thirty creations, ranging from contemporary dance shows to choreographies for theatrical performances and operas. Artemis Danza also supports the work of young choreographers and promotes educational initiatives such as professional workshops and theoretical conferences. Since 2005 Artemis Danza is engaged in “Artemis Incontra Culture Altre” (Artemis meets other cultures), a project of artistic residencies and international tours that gave birth to performances, workshops, publications, reports and exhibitions. Artemis Danza also concentrates on Corpo d’Opera, a project of choreographic re-imagining of the opera repertoire, with a special focus on female figures.
PROGRAMME
Tosca X is the first part of “Corpo d’Opera” project, dedicated to the choreographic re-interpretation of some of the main 19th century operas with a special focus on female figures. Monica Casadei proposes her personal vision of Tosca, one of the most famous and dramatic operas written by the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. The performance focuses on the central act of Tosca and aims at investigating the relationship between Baron Scarpia, a man craving for possession, and the famous Tosca, a woman living for art. Tosca X seems like a thriller, where Tosca plays the role of the victim and Scarpia personifies the persecutor.
Solos and dance ensembles come in quick succession without a break: tensions and clashes between opposites, as well as dance effects on stage (the twists) are watched with bated breath till the very end of the performance. Masculine, dynamic, quick, vigorous and sinewy choreographies match the dramatic and excited action and the rushing musical rhythm of the act, as to create a unanimous, passionate, instinctive and sometimes wild dance, using the space in a swirly way and giving a full visual impression. Playing upon opposites is a common line in the whole play, which is also underlined by the choice of the costumes. The offstage is split by a red tape, a red blame running along the theater wing representing the grief in Tosca’s soul.
Choreography, direction, lighting and costume design: Monica Casadei
Music: Giacomo Puccini
Musical arrangement: Luca Vianini
Assistant choreographer: Camilla Negri
A co-production by: Lugo Opera Festival, Festival La Versiliana
In collaboration with: Teatro Comunale in Bologna, AMAT & Teatro dell’Aquila / Comune di Fermo