Written and Directed by Paola Rossi
Historical Consultant Angelo Chemin
Featuring Carlo Presotto and the Coenobium Vocale choir conducted by Maria Dal Bianco
Video Projections by Carlo Presotto in collaboration with Mauro Zocchetta
Technical Director Federico Fracasso

National Premiere

In 1124 Pons of Melgueil, the seventh abbot of Cluny, having returned from the Holy Land, arrived at the mouth of the Brenta Valley. Passing through this area was the route that Albert of Stade would later describe, in the mid-13th century, as an itinerary connecting northern Germany to Rome. Here, Pons founded the monastery dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Mother of God, destined to become an important spiritual and cultural crossroads.
Several monks from Cluny would request to transfer to the monastery founded by Pons, and following the abbot's death in 1126, the monastery was aggregated, in 1127, into the prominent Cluniac monastery of San Benedetto Po.

Nine hundred years after the founding of the Campese monastery, set within the atmospheric surroundings of the church, the performance commemorates its founder by retracing the destiny of this charismatic and controversial figure: from leading one of Europe's most powerful monastic centers to his dismissal; from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land to his arrival in the Brenta Valley; and from the founding of the new monastery to his dramatic end.

Carlo Presotto takes on the role of Abbot Ponzio, bringing to life his extraordinary spiritual and personal journey, intertwined with the history of his time. Through an engaging narrative, the story of this charismatic and controversial figure will be retraced: from his leadership of one of Europe’s most powerful monasteries to his removal from office, from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land to his arrival near Bassano del Grappa, where he founded a new monastery. The stage design features video projections curated by Mauro Zocchetta, which highlight the monastic architecture and enrich the narrative with evocative, striking images.

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