by InTrieste
The visionary director Robert Wilson is bringing his latest theatrical spectacle, Pessoa. Since I’ve Been Me, to the Rossetti this February. Ahead of the production, theater historian Paolo Quazzolo and regional theater director Paolo Valerio will host an introductory discussion on January 29 at 6 p.m. in the Sala Bartoli, offering audiences a deeper understanding of Wilson’s singular artistic language.
The event, organized by the Teatro Stabile del Friuli Venezia Giulia in collaboration with the Circle of Culture and Arts, will feature video excerpts showcasing Wilson’s groundbreaking approach to staging. The Texas-born director, known for his meticulously crafted visual and auditory compositions, has long been celebrated as a master of contemporary theater and performance art. The discussion will also include live readings from the works of Fernando Pessoa, the enigmatic Portuguese poet whose literary world serves as the foundation for Wilson’s latest work.
Wilson’s Pessoa. Since I’ve Been Me arrives in Trieste after a well-received premiere in May at Florence’s Teatro della Pergola and a triumphant run in November at the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, where it played to sold-out houses and standing ovations. The production, which blends spoken word, movement, music, and Wilson’s signature lighting design, aims to capture the essence of Pessoa’s fragmented literary identity.
Andrea Fagioli, writing in Avvenire, described the play as “pure spectacle, total theater… a work difficult to define.” He praised Wilson’s ability to “sculpt space with light before filling it with words, gestures, colors, sounds, and images.” The cast, he noted, brings to life a performance that seamlessly integrates acting, music, and dance in a way only Wilson could orchestrate.
For those unfamiliar with Wilson’s work, the January 29 discussion offers a rare opportunity to step inside his creative world. “This meeting will help audiences tune into the rhythm of Wilson’s vision and fully appreciate the poetic and theatrical depth of the performance,” Valerio said.
The event is free and open to the public, with admission granted on a first-come, first-served basis. More information can be found at www.ilrossetti.it or by calling +39 040 3593511.
Pessoa. Since I’ve Been Me runs at the Politeama Rossetti from February 13 to 16.
