La nuova produzione del Balletto del Sud di Fredy Franzutti con Orchestra OLES dal titolo "JONIO SUD BAROCCO"

**DANCE SEASON**
Winter 2024/25 - Tenth Edition
Apollo Theater – Lecce

From October 13, 2024, to February 9, 2025

Saturday, November 16 - 9:00 PM
Sunday, November 17 - 6:00 PM
JONIO – SOUTH – BAROQUE
From formal baroque to the baroque of excess
With the OLES Orchestra

*****

On Saturday, November 16, at 9 PM (repeated on Sunday, November 17, at 6 PM), the new creation by Fredy Franzutti titled “Jonio-South-Baroque - from formal baroque to the baroque of excess” premieres at the Apollo Theater in Lecce. This new production by the Balletto del Sud, created in collaboration with the OLES Orchestra, is set to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer regarded as one of the greatest in the history of music. Jonio, South, Baroque are three words generated from the acronym of the initials of Johann Sebastian Bach's name, weaving concepts—in a metaphysical key—specific to a geographical location (Southern Italy) and a historical and identity condition. The combination that unlocks the treasure chest of evoked images employs the talents of Vittorio Bodini and Carmelo Bene. The perspective that unites the main themes and paths of the two artists' creative productions makes the cultural proposal, featuring the Balletto del Sud and the OLES orchestra, contemporary.

The performance is the second event of the Dance Season – Winter 2024/25 – Tenth Edition - of the Balletto del Sud, created in collaboration with the Municipality of Lecce.

The Ionian Sea is the “bridge” with classical cultures, enrichment, and acquisition of knowledge in the position of “subjugated land” and conquered people. The arrival of the Turks, understood as the central meeting-clash point between cultures rather than the periphery of isolation. The South, “in an unconventional image of the south which, despite its concreteness, sometimes becomes a metaphor for a more general human condition” (Lucio Giannone in the presentation of the Baroque del Sud series by Vittorio Bodini). And the Baroque as “a state of mind reflecting a desperate sense of emptiness – horror vacui” (V. Bodini) that one tries to fill with externality, ostentation, and decorative excess. The Barocco dell’oltranza of Carmelo Bene, with its borrowing of malleability from static forms—statues and paintings—to the seductive expression of the body in its plasticity. For Carmelo Bene, as for Bodini, reflection on baroque has been central throughout his artistic career. Critics have often referred to the baroque, particularly the Lecce baroque, when discussing his theatrical and cinematic works.

The main performers are Nuria Salado Fustè, Orion Pico Plaja, and Ovidiu Chitanu (Jonio), Alice Leoncini (South), Giulia Ricciardulli (Baroque). Alongside them are all members of the Balletto del Sud, an established group that enjoys success both in Lecce’s dance season performances and in national tours.

“Jonio, South, Baroque” is a three-part performance unfolding to the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach, baroque works noted for their intellectual depth and now considered among the most complex and intricate in Western music.

The choreography is by Fredy Franzutti, created for the Balletto del Sud, which he has directed since 1995.

The music is performed by the OLES Orchestra, a collaboration initiated in 1997 with a regular annual schedule. The sequence and selection of pieces are curated by M° Marco Delisi, currently the president of the OLES Orchestra.

• Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor

• Air on the G String

• Suite No. 2 for Flute and Orchestra

• Prelude from Suite No. 1 for Cello

• Concerto for Two Violins in D minor

The scenes and costumes are designed by Franzutti in a unified project.

The activities of the Balletto del Sud, on the occasion of the performance Jonio, South, Baroque for the Dance Season – Winter 2024/25 – Tenth Edition - is complemented by an educational conference with video excerpts titled “Bach and Dance” scheduled for 5:00 PM on Sunday, November 17, in the conference room of the Apollo Theater, curated by dance critic Maria Luisa Buzzi.

A school session is also scheduled for the morning of Monday, November 18, at 10:00 AM.

In agreement with the Lecce Biblio-Museum Center, during the days of the show—from Friday 15 to Monday 18—the permanent exhibit of the Carmelo Bene Archive will remain open continuously with free admission.

The performances, scheduled from October 13 to February 9, 2025, at the Apollo Theater in Lecce, are made possible thanks to the contribution of the MIC – Ministry of Culture and the Puglia Region, Department of Tourism, Culture Economy and Territory Enhancement, and with the support of the Municipality of Lecce, with the patronage of the Castromediano Museum in Lecce and the Conservatory “Tito Schipa” of Lecce.

Presales are made at the company headquarters in Via Biasco, 10 in Lecce and at the Info-point of the Sedile in Lecce, in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, and also online at www.ciaotickets.com

Info tel. 0832 453556 – 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Front rows and 1st order boxes: full price € 25.00 – reduced (under 25 and over 65) € 20.00

Seats and 2nd order boxes: € 20.00 – reduced (under 25 and over 65) €15.00

Gallery: € 10.00

Discounts are available for university students and for dance, music, and theater schools.