“L’Elisir d’Amore” - First lyric opera in Italian Sign Language

RWF supported the creation of "L'Elisir d'amore" a liric opera by Gaetano Donizetti,  translated for the first time completely in Italian Sign Language (LIS). The opera was staged at the Teatro Comunale of Treviso on the 15th and 16th of March 2008, with the talents of “Scudo Blu” ENS theater company - Provincial Section of Treviso. It was a real challenge but, after a year and a half of preparation, the opera celebrated great success.

The “Scudo Blu” company, founded in 2003 in the ENS Treviso area, thanks to "L’Elisir d’Amore" in LIS realize a big dream: deaf people can "sing with their hands" and "listen with their eyes " to lyrical music.

On stage, Nemorino and Adina, the protagonists, courted and loved each other in silence communicating through sign language, under the direction of Sara Callegar and the production director, Ivan Stefanutti. Among the scenes of Benito Leonori, and the movements choreographed by Laura Rocco, deaf actors sung with their hands alongside a group of hearing children.
For the hearing public the presentation was taped and recorded with the accompaniment of The English Chamber Orchestra directed by Richard Bonyngs, with the voices of Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.