Celebrate the Epiphany - La Befana! with Alessandra belloni & I Giullari di Piazza for a special 35TH anniversary revival of "La Cantata dei Pastori" - The Shepherds Cantata. A Neapolitan Renaissance Christmas concert. Featuring: La Befana (the Italian Christmas Witch), the Arc Angel Gabriel, and Pulcinella from the Italian Commedia dell'Arte. The Italian Cultural Foundation at Casa Belvedere - 79 Howard Avenue - Staten Island, NY 10301

LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI was written by A. Perrucci in the 16th century & re-written and directed by Alessandra Belloni in 1984. It has been performed by the company for 20 years with music composed & arranged by John La Barbera. FEATURING THE NEAPOLITAN SINGER/ACTOR GIUSEPPE DE FALCO IN THE ROLE OF RAZZULLO the Pulcinella character that leads the story with: ALESSANDRA BELLONI in the role of Mary; MARK MINDEK as the Angel Gabriel on stilts; MAX MCGUIRE as LA BEFANA; SUSAN EBERENZ - MUSIC DIRECTOR - Flute piccolo & recorders; IVAN THOMAS - guitar and MARA GERETY-in the role of the devil, violin; JAMES KARCHER Main Devil - FRANCESCA SILVANO - LEAD dancer

I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA, a renowned 35-year old Southern Italian music/theater/dance company, is proud to offer a beautiful concert version of LA CANTATA DEI PASTORI for the Staten Island Community.

Join La Befana, the Good Witch of Christmas, Mary and Joseph, the Archangel Gabriel, Devils, Demons, and the commedia dell'arte characters who enact this beloved story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the triumph of good over evil.

The music - tarantellas, villanellas and pastorales - comes from traditional sources, with original music. Songs are sung in Italian; costuming and music instrumentation is traditional Southern Italian; narration is in English. The play ends with a singing by the Company of the oldest known Neapolitan Christmas song.

JON PARLES - The New York Times:

"A musical play presented by the traditional Italian group I Giullari di Piazza (is) a rarity among Christmas programs; it somehow manages to be both riotously entertaining and curiously haunting, even profound......a vibrant and uproarious performance."

$45 per person (Children 12 years and Under: Free) (cash, check or credit cards accepted) Refreshments will be served. A light reception will follow. PLEASE RSVP in advance! Space is limited. Call 718-273-7660 or E-Mail info@casa-belvedere.org Parking located in the lots directly across the street at Notre Dame Academy.

ABOUT ALESSANDRA BELLONI...

Alessandra Belloni is the Artistic Director, Founder and Lead Performer of "I GIULLARI DI PIAZZA", an Italian Music, Theatre and Dance Ensemble who is Artists-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. She is the only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in traditional Southern Italian folk dances and percussion combined with singing that she learned in Southern Italy. An award winning tambourine virtuoso, singer, dancer and actress, Ms.Belloni was born in Rome, Italy and is committed to preserving the strong and rich traditions of her culture.