La rosa e l’usignolo al Serra il debutto nel segno dell’amore

On stage at the Teatro Serra in Naples, "The Nightingale and the Rose," based on a fairy tale by Oscar Wilde. Directorial debut by musician and poet Mario Severino. From October 10th to 12th, at Via Diocleziano 316. Info: teatroserra@gmail.com; 347.8051793.

The Teatro Serra in Naples inaugurates the "Fuorilcassici" season with "The Rose and the Nightingale." From a fairy tale by Oscar Wilde, it marks the directing debut of musician and poet Mario Severino. A production by “Attitude” and “Olive Tree” featuring Miriam Della Corte, Cristoforo Iorio, Anna Simeoli. Dance and choreography by Nicoletta Severino. Costume consultation by Violetta Di Costanzo. From October 10th to 12th at Via Diocleziano 316 (Friday at 9:00 PM, Saturday at 7:00 PM, Sunday at 6:00 PM). Info: teatroserra@gmail.com; 347.8051793.
The protagonists of this modern tale are a young lover, his beloved, a nightingale, and a rose bush, presenting the conflict between passion and reason, where the author imparts his reflections on the human condition. A broke student desperately seeks a red rose to win the woman he loves, but his garden lacks one, leaving him utterly disheartened. Witness to this drama is a nightingale who, after failing to find a red rose for the unfortunate youth, offers to help him. "Only the heart's blood of a nightingale can redden the heart of a rose," the rosebush tells the bird, who allows itself to be pierced by a thorn, singing of love made perfect by death throughout the night. As its blood stains the petals red, with a final high note, it collapses dead to the ground, while the plant reveals the perfect flower, a gift for the much-desired girl who, however, spurns the boy, preferring someone who gifts her jewels.
"It is a story that has always fascinated me. Initially, I envisioned creating a musical, but this seemed an excessively pop vision, sacrificing the lyricism of the original text, which is very poetic. Therefore, I decided to present it in a classic form, including moments of song, music, and dance," says the director, who also composed the music. A raw tale, set in an enchanted atmosphere, where accessible and seemingly simple writing conceals symbolism and allegories that emphasize the importance of recognizing truth beneath social appearances.

Mario Severino
A poet, writer, musician, and journalist from Naples, born in 1989, Mario Severino holds degrees in Restoration and Modern Linguistics. Founder of the "Olive Tree" association, at 28, he moved to Edinburgh, where he embraced Gospel, performed locally, and participated for two consecutive years in the "Kelburn Garden Party," the annual festival held around Kelburn Castle in the Ayrshire region, on the west coast of Scotland. He learned to play the ukulele, exploring new musical horizons. Returning to Italy, he began publishing songs with folk melodies and dark atmospheres under the pseudonym Alf Eryavaband, tackling themes such as anger, frustration, and melancholy. He participated in numerous local and national competitions, including "Tour Music Fest," "Rock Targato Italia," and "Musicultura." In 2025, he joined the editorial staff of the cultural publication “Naòs-Nel cuore dell'arte e del sapere” as a theater critic. In the same year, he published poetry in the 2025 Poetry Almanac, AA.VV., La Rosa Edizioni, and his first poetry collection "Tu non darmi retta," Robin Edizioni.

"The Rose and the Nightingale"
original text by Oscar Wilde
dramaturgy, direction, and music by Mario Severino
featuring Miriam Della Corte, Cristoforo Iorio, Nicoletta Severino, Anna Simeoli
choreography by Nicoletta Severino
costume consultancy by Violetta Di Costanzo
production by Attitude
company Olive Tree
Friday, October 10, 2025, at 9:00 PM / Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM / Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Contacts: teatroserra@gmail.com, 347.8051793
Link: https://youtu.be/fsL8xOS6zjA /
Web: www.facebook.com/teatroserra/