“Now a warrior ship together with the soldiers of Christ pushes me to the gates of Egypt. I have no swords hidden in my habit, but only the pages soaked in water and salt of Mark, John, Luke and Matthew. What brings me to this horizon? Dripping the word of Christ in the unfaithful blood? Changing faith in those who believe in Allah? No, it is the fire of love, the crazy and innocent heat that lives in my body. The call of God that sets my heart on fire.”
The person who utters these words is Francis of Assisi, while in 1219 he embarks on the journey that leads him, on the banks of the Nile, to meet Malik al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt. What will be called the Fifth Crusade is underway, there is the clash of weapons, Christians and Muslims are clashing, but Francis seeks an encounter instead of a clash.
Francis’ words are imagined by Guido Barbierimusic historian, playwright, historic voice of Radio3’s musical programs, in this case author of the lyrics of The Holy Fool. Francis, the Sultan, a tent on the banks of the Nilethe show that debuts on June 4th in the church of San Francesco, in Ravenna, as part of the 2026 edition of the Ravenna Festival.
“The show”, explains Barbieri, “was commissioned to me by Angelo Nicastro, artistic director of the Ravenna Festival. I did not imagine staging the meeting between Francis and the Sultan. Their dialogue is not presented in a direct form, but evoked through the filter of memory, with the story of Jacopa de’ Settesoli, the Roman aristocrat friend of Francis, in whom he confided on the eve of his death”.
The show is presented as a stage action for the actress Astra Lanz (Jacopa), the baritone Nicola Zambon (Francesco) and the bass Ludovico Dal Pra (Sultan of Egypt). The music composed by Marcello Fera (also in the role of violin soloist and director) is performed by the Conductos Ensemble, the Heinrich Schütz Vocal Group and the percussionist Marco Zanca, who is also a sword master.
“To evoke the battle between Christians and Muslims I had three duels recorded on video fight. It is a very abstract thing, without costumes, which we project onto the white apse of Saint Francis, to the accompaniment of percussion.” According to Barbieri, in the meeting with the Sultan, Francis “introduces, without ever explicitly condemning the military campaign, the ‘scandalous’ practice of diplomacy, dialogue, confrontation on equal terms with the enemy, with the infidel”. A gesture that leaves an indelible mark in history.
The Holy Fool it will be on stage at the Ravenna Festival until 9 June, then it will be performed in Pordenone and Merano.
