Roberto Zappalà's Cain and Abel Dance Duet Premieres in Catania

Choreographer Roberto Zappalà presents 'Corpo a Corpo (1° meditazione su Caino e Abele)', the first part of a two-step meditation that together with 'Come le Ali' (May 19-20 at Viagrande Studios, Catania) will form the full work 'Liederduett' for four dancers, piano, and countertenor, debuting at Festival Bolzano Danza on July 18. The piece stages a physical, energetic confrontation between two brothers, Cain and Abel, performed by dancers Gaetano Montecasino and Fernando Roldan Ferrer. They transform from snarling dogs to loving siblings, using gestures, words, and movements that oscillate between tenderness and violence. Zappalà references William-Adolphe Bouguereau's painting 'The First Mourning' and incorporates music by Nick Cave and Johannes Brahms. A suspended boxing glove spills salt over the exhausted dancers at the end. The work is part of Zappalà's ongoing 'Transiti Humanitatis' project.