Jean-Paul Manganaro's 'Oratorio Carmelo Bene' Marks Actor's 20th Death Anniversary

Jean-Paul Manganaro's new book 'Oratorio Carmelo Bene' (il Saggiatore, Milan, 2022) coincides with the 20th anniversary of the actor's death. The work blends literary essay, novel, and autobiography. Manganaro argues that Bene's performances make other theatre seem irrelevant, citing a reflection that after seeing Bene, one no longer wishes to see other actors. He compares this to Flaiano's paraphrase of Heraclitus: 'one cannot see the same Carmelo Bene show twice.' The book analyzes key elements of Bene's theatre: his stage costume (starting with Richard III and ending with In-vulnerabilità di Achille), the actor's work (rejecting mimesis for a creative freedom that redefines the text), and the 'eidetic voice' that transcends traditional textuality. In Manfred (Byron/Schumann), Bene's recitative alternates with orchestral counterpoint, creating a polymorphic vocal range. Manganaro describes Bene as a 'monstrum.' The author first encountered Bene in Paris in 1969 at 'Nostra signora dei Turchi,' recognizing something 'unheard of' against cultural consumption. The book also discusses Bene's apparent repetition (actually constant re-elaboration) and his innovative use of light (lateral cuts, like Caravaggio vs. Raphael).