‘Mary: The Musical’ Debuts At Vatican
VATICAN CITY – The curtainwent up at the Vatican Tuesday eveningfor the world premiere of a new musicalabout the life of the Virgin Mary.
“Mary of Nazareth – A Continuing Story” is written and directed by Maria Pia Liotta and Adele Dorothy Ciampa. The show has been officially endorsed by the Vatican and traces the battle between good and evil, God and the devil, in Mary’s life as she grows from a young girl making bread in the courtyard with the women of Nazareth, to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Liotta, who came up with the idea to make a musical about Mary, said thisisthe first time in history that there had been a musical about her life.
“I think the musical is be a very effective instrument to tell the story because it can reach everyone’s heart, especially because it is made up of words, notes, melody, dance and gestures,” she said.
Liotta’s daughter, actress and soprano Alma Manera, plays Mary.
“I tried to interpret this role in the most natural, spontaneous and simplest way. First as a young woman, then as a mother who is aware of her choice and whose ‘yes’ changed the history of humanity,” said the former Miss Italy contestant.
The music was written by Stelvio Cipriani, a well-known Italian composer for film and television. He said he tried to make it both spiritual and modern and not typical “church” music.
“I respected the spirituality and sacredness of this work while also keeping it up to date,” explained Cipriani.
Tuesday’sperformance was be recorded by Italian state television for broadcast in mid-August. Show organizers hope to schedule an international tour in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
