In 1990, on commission of the National Institute of the ancient drama of Syracuse (investigation), on the basis of the terracotta specimens kept at the Aeolian Archaeological Museum of Lipari, Giancarlo Santelliactor and artist of the theater, created eight masks. These are not simple copies of ancient models, but of authentic “theatrical machines”, carefully designed to ensure the actors freedom of movement and adequate amplification of the voice.
These masterpieces of skilled craftsmanship are exhibited until 13 May in Bari at the Top Trustry bookshop (Via Volta, 37) in the exhibition entitled “Onomasticon – Giancarlo Santelli and the Ant Antich theaterO ”. The exhibition takes its name from a work of the second century AD, the onomasticon of Giulio Polluce. A sort of encyclopedia written in ancient Greek, which in the” book IV “lists and describes the theatrical masks of the time.
Giancarlo Santelli (name of art by Giovanni Prisciatelli), born in Santeramo in Colle in 1944 and died in Monterotondo in 2020, created masks for the theater of Eduardo De Filippo and Roberto De Simone and for the cinema of Ettore Scola. His creations were worn on stage, among many, by Eduardo, Gigi Proietti, Massimo Troisi, Ranieri. In the last thirty years of his career, Santelli has dedicated himself to returning the masks of the ancient world to the scene, remodeling with a contemporary spirit and historical accuracy, on the basis of sculptures, paintings, mosaics and other testimonies of ancient scenic art.
In addition to the eight comedy masks there is one from tragedy. It was built for Agamemnon that Roberto De Simone (recently disappeared) directed in Syracuse in 1995. De Simone said that Santelli’s masks are “of rare theatrical efficacy, preserving that animality and strength that are found in the authentic masks of popular carnival”.
The cultural proposal was born from the collaboration between the Library of Bari and the cultural association “Giancarlo Santelli”, with the patronage of the municipalities of Bari and Santeramo in Colle and Puglia Culture. Until May 13, 2025, the exhibition program includes lessons, study meetings and theatrical events in Bari and Santeramo in Colle. The events will be carried out in collaboration with the Poetry Association in Action and the Theater Company La Mansarda Teatro dell’Orco di Caserta.
