Giorgio Battistelli - Jules Verne

A writer whose stories exalting the imaginary dimension of impossible journeys have always fascinated Giorgio Battistelli, Jules Verne is celebrated in this work through three heroes from his novels: Professor Lidenbrock (Journey to the Centre of the Earth), Doctor Ferguson (Five Weeks in a Balloon) and Captain Nemo (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea), symbols of the relationship of man with the earth, the air and the sea. The protagonists meet in a living room furnished with the equipment necessary to undertake their adventures, and each of them tells his own story, trying to convince the others that he is the writer’s favourite character. The work, interpreted by three musician-actors who are asked to carry out surreal theatrical actions, ends with Lidenbrock, Ferguson and Nemo singing in chorus, playing games and instruments together like children. The protagonist of this hilarious, dreamlike finale is a set of instruments featuring bizarre objects to produce sound: a chain hoisted by its capstan, a tub full of water kicked noisily, a sail waved around energetically, bricks disarranged at random, gravel trampled on in a fit of pique. At the same time the interpreters have to demonstrate their virtuosity on a large group of instruments including the trumpet, marimba, piano and a range of large, small and unusual percussion instruments.