DORILLA IN TEMPE

“Visually, it’s a feast. The extravagance of whole design remind us how important the visual dimension of Dorilla in Tempe would have been in 1726.  Ceresa’s production certainly convinces one of the merits of Vivaldi’s score, which complements the range of dramatic moods explored, from melancholy to rage, despair to triumph.”

Claire Seymur

“Ceresa’s approach is distinctly tongue-in-cheek. In flamboyant period style, with eye-popping costumes, it looks a treat.”

Mark Pullinger

“The production perfectly matches the Baroque richness of the music with opulence of concept and design.”

Kathy Hayes

"The lack of true dramaturgy in the libretto and the absence of character psychology led director Fabio Ceresa to embrace an ironic and picturesque vision of pastoral 18th-century life—a directorial approach that proves both effective and well-executed."

Antonio Maria Lucchini

“Fabio Ceresa seizes the opportunity to use the changing seasons as a metaphor for the protagonist's journey of growth and maturation—and, let’s be honest, to enliven a rather weak plot. The audience packed into Teatro Malibran responded with a resounding triumph.”
Andrea Bomben

“This production undoubtedly deserves a perfect score, and the reason is clear: director Fabio Ceresa. Visually flawless, this dazzling baroque spectacle overflows with incredible richness, brimming with situations not envisioned in the original libretto but generously conjured by the imagination of the production's mastermind. Brilliant.”
Fabio Tranchida

“Clarity and delight were omnipresent throughout the performance, immersing the audience in the enchanting illusion of being transported back in time to the splendor of early 18th-century baroque theater. Many recognize in Ceresa a significant and critical voice in today's directorial landscape, where convention often reigns.”
Andrea Zepponi

“A thoroughly delightful production.”
Pina Giacomazzi

“The director aimed to cater to the rational mindset of the modern audience, suggesting an evolutionary arc for the protagonist, who transforms from an obedient girl to a rebellious adolescent, redefining her relationship with authority. But there’s more. Inspired by the overture, where Vivaldi introduces the theme of Spring, Dorilla’s transformation is framed by the eternal cycle of nature’s death and renewal.

From a directorial standpoint, nothing more could have been done to elevate a dramaturgical structure so distant from contemporary sensibilities.”
Roberto Campanella

“Fabio Ceresa’s direction stands out for its mythological references and its underlying irony, a necessary element to make such a dusty theatrical product more palatable.”
Mauro Masiero