It was 1984, and the theatre that continues to bear the name of Salone Pier Lombardo saw the debut of Giovanni Testori’s new work – directed by Andrée Ruth Shammah –; a critical re-reading of The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni, a “rehearsal” by a small-town company under the guidance of a Maestro of art and of life.
The play once again returns to the stage, on the occasion of the dual celebration of the two Milanese writers. «There are moments in history in which certain texts appear necessary – commented the director –. The first time that I staged I Promessi sposi alla prova with Franco Parenti, I felt it was necessary, and I feel that need now, just as I did at the time, perhaps even more so. Testori took on, betrayed, or translated the words of Manzoni into a new form that renders ancient truths that we once again need contemporary and easily communicated. The aim with this play is not only to once again present audiences with one of the pillars of Italian literature, and to allow them to get to know and to love the reworkings of Testori, but also to encourage them to explore our times with new awareness, and to rediscover the origins of Theatre as I see them, once again and evermore profoundly.»