Michela Lucenti's Dante-Inspired Dance at Mittelfest 2017

At the Mittelfest in Cividale del Friuli, Michela Lucenti and Balletto Civile premiered 'Nell’aere – Inferno #5', a dance-theatre piece inspired by Dante's canto of Paolo and Francesca. The work features original music by Mauro Pagotto performed by the Mitteleuropa Orchestra conducted by Nicola Valentini. Lucenti's choreography keeps thirteen dancers constantly on stage, engaging in a continuous physical dialogue with the orchestra. The piece reimagines Dante's text with irony and humor, incorporating a dramaturgy by Carlo Galiero. It presents a goofy beardless Dante dancing with Marilyn Monroe, while the lovers Paolo and Francesca seek each other in a new language. The performance emphasizes the anti-hierarchical universalism of Dante's Comedy, mobilizing an entire community on stage and in the orchestra. The work was presented as part of Italy's festival network, highlighting the vitality of contemporary dance.