By writer and performer ELENA MAZZON
In 13th-century Milan, heretics crown Guglielma of Bohemia the Holy Spirit and Maifreda Pirovano Popess, igniting a wild, female-led holy revolution—a dark comedy to die for! Italy, end of the 13th Century – In the heart of Milan, the heretical sect of the Guglielmites is causing an uproar. Their leader, Guglielma of Bohemia, is believed to be no less than the second coming of the Holy Spirit. She appoints another woman, Sister Maifreda Pirovano, as her Popess. How dare two women proclaim themselves leaders—and worse, declare the dawn of a female-led era where only women can save mankind from eternal suffering?
The Popess: Instructions for Freedom is a black-comedy solo-show that unravels the mystery of a radical, real-life feminist movement. The story unfolds through the eyes of Everywoman, an archetypal figure representing a simple and pure soul in search of the Truth. As she navigates the turbulent streets of Milan, Everywoman crosses paths with Sister Maifreda and her devoted followers, and is drawn in by Guglielma’s revolutionary teachings. As the movement gains momentum, however, it attracts the unwanted gaze of the Church, which sees the Guglielmites as a dire threat to its authority.
What follows is a gripping clash between faith and power, blending dark humour with historical drama as the stakes rise—and history takes a fateful turn.
Info and tickets HERE
Il Circolo, in collaboration with the British Italian Society, presents “Beyond Art: an evening of music and literature”
Margherita Torretta, piano and writer
Victoria Armillotta, soprano
Giorgia Scaturro, moderator and journalist
Nadia Ostacchini, actress, voice over and artistic director of Tricolore Theatre Company.
16 September h 18.15, Italian Cultural Institute
Pianist and writer Margherita Torretta will delight the audience with her performance of classical music pieces alongside the Italian-British soprano Victoria Armillotta. She will also delve, together with moderator and journalist Giorgia Scaturro, into poignant excerpts and themes from her literary debut, Rimmel, a novel published in 2024 by Pendragon. Nadia Ostacchini will be reading selected passages from Rimmel.
This unique evening promises to be an inspiring fusion of words and music, a seamless dialogue of melodies and reflections designed to transport guests on a profound introspective and artistic journey.
Beyond Art celebrates the transformative power of art and culture, which not only offers a unique opportunity to appreciate cultural differences but also to connect with others and understand the value of diversity.
Music by W.A.Mozart, F.Schubert, G.Puccini, G.Verdi, F.Chopin
For full description and registrations, click HERE
Where’s Home The Musical, by Anna Oggero, explores themes of identity, belonging, and the resilience of two Italian women across generations. This event will be an occasion to bring together the migrant and Italian communities, and to share experiences and thoughts after hearing selected scenes and songs.
For more information and to reserve a free place click HERE
ICI London and pianist Margherita Torretta are thrilled to present the life and works of Elisabetta de Gambarini, an 18th-century Italian-English composer, harpsichordist, and singer. Our narrative weaves her personal journey and artistic achievements against the backdrop of a time when women faced significant barriers in the musical world and society.
An introductory presentation will examine the social and cultural norms of 18th-century Europe, highlighting the challenges faced by women in the arts. It will delve into Gambarini’s background, family, and the influences that shaped her musical career. It will be highlighted how Gambarini navigated the male-dominated music scene, earning recognition as a composer and performer.
The introduction will be followed by a live musical performance.
A project in collaboration with The Italian British Society.
Artists & Musicians:
Margherita Torretta, pianoforte
Marta Leung, soprano
Enrica Mondo, violoncello
Giulia Nigra, flauto
Federica Nardacci, speaker
For bookings click HERE
The British-Italian Society and the Society for Italian Studies have announced the latest winners of the biennial BIS Student Prizes.
The winner of the 2024 Postgraduate Prize (£500) is George Brocklehurst of the Warburg Institute for his PhD chapter, Convivial Humanism: Giovanni Pontano on the Art of Living Together.
The 2024 Undergraduate Prize (£250) was awarded to Eleanor Summers of St Andrews University for her dissertation on The Italian Tomato as Living Cultural Artefact.
A runner-up award at Postgraduate level (£200) went to George Rayson of Cambridge University for his PhD chapter on Dante’s Hapax Legomena in the Commedia: A Study of Poetic Singularity.
A runner-up award at Undergraduate level (£100) was made to Isabel Winter of Cambridge University for her dissertation on Second Generation Italian HipHop.
The reviewers considered both runners-up to have produced academic work of exceptional merit.
The competition again attracted a large number of entries (10) from students at British and Irish Universities on a wide range of Italian cultural themes. The judges strongly commended the winners for producing highly innovative and well-argued pieces of scholarship.
Our warmest congratulations go to all the prize-winners, who also receive one year’s honorary membership of the British-Italian Society.
We look forward to welcoming them to an event in 2025!