Written by Natalia Di Bartolo ©dibartolocritic —
Alan Rickman, English actor and Director, died on January 14, 2016 for a serious disease against which he struggled for some time. He was born in London on February 21, 1946.
Rickman was known to the general public especially for having starred in the Harry Potter film series as Professor Severus Snape, but it was a great film not only more refined, but above all of the Shakespearean stage and beyond.
From this the elective contact and collaboration with the Volterra International Roman Theater Festival, “On to the breath, singing”He also hosted as an actor and that saw him enthusiastic supporter of its initiatives and star of one of the most interesting events ever made in Volterra by the Festival.
Tushar Majmudar, artistic director of the International Festival of the Roman Theatre, now in its 14TH Edition, ventura so remember, with heartfelt words, the irreplaceable, dear friend and colleague:
VOLTERRA, January 14, 2015 —
"I don't want to be remembered for the films I've done, that's work, I want to be remembered as Alan, we always say even with Emma (Thompson), a thing work, one thing life and who loves you" once told me sitting in a tavern/library in Dublin, before the debut of his show by Ibsen at the national theatre of Ireland.
He was a great guy, I want to remember him as a person, as he wanted; I remember him at his home in London when he came to the door in a bathrobe; I remember him so at his home in Italy to serve under the Pergola, without shoes, smiling, with that powerful voice in a strong British accent, always soft-spoken, always enthusiastic. I remember him on the Tower of the Palazzo dei Priori enchanted by the scenery that was enjoying: would no longer be dropped ...
"Volterra is a discovery, an amazing discovery.” – said Alan – “I mentioned it in the environment of American Cinema no one knows, Volterra is a great find, I told and repeated at all. "
I remember when I proposed to recite Dante in Italian from the Windows of the Palazzo dei Priori, was so excited, like a student of the Academy. Not only. Suffered from dizziness, strange for a guy who did a flight of I don't know how many meters from the skyscraper in the final scenes of the film “Die Hard”.
Remember all those occasions that over the years we have had the opportunity to share, his letters, his unconditional support to the Festival. Kept us very much, I always said it might represent to Volterra a big bussiness, could have an impact on jobs, tourism and also the city's demographic development. He said, "the Festival's in Volterra as the Guggenheim is in Bilbao, but if you really believe you can't be alone believe me there are and were two".
Last may he called me from New York, had just finished presenting his latest film "the rules of chaos" which was working for years. He had met at the gala dinner the President of the World Monument Fund and introduced him to activate a line of international observation to raise money for restoration and final commissioning of our Roman Theatre.
We met a few months ago, the shadow of the Evening that we gave you in the hallway of his house (there are the Globe, Tony and all the other awards he has won, but the shadow Yes)We told us she seemed not bad, a lot of things. We had a lot of plans, a lot of ideas such as he would have liked to turn the Italian squares with a wagon and costumes and props, along with Emma Thompson, to recite Shakespeare.
I remember when you lent him to participate in the show "bad and evil in Shakespeare's Theatre": how he was excited to be able to recite in the Roman Theatre, wandering among the monumental ruins entranced before the show, it absorbed energy; I remember when we had to pass from the alleys, doorways to avoid the horde of fans from all over Italy to see it.
I remember in one of his last emails, a few days ago, the Hospital where he was admitted: I'm spending the most relaxing one in hospital… Can't be too bad…”
I also remember his public appeal:
"Dear Simon, the Roman Theatre in Volterra is not only something that the city should be proud, but it should involve the passionate concern of Italy and the world. I was lucky enough to recite in its shade, two years ago. Its importance as a historical site cannot be overstated, but I also know personally how a place so exciting even in its current condition. To have it protected and developed for future generations would not only be of great economic benefit to the city, but it would mean creating a place of importance not only locally but also nationally and internationally. The problem is that having to awaken the conscience of the whole Italy and all over the civilized world.”
He liked the photos of sunsets and scenery of Volterra, the Roman Theatre, the amphitheatre just discovered. He said that would be healed before if I kept sending those pictures.
No, Alan, here the weather is gray, all Volterra cries and gets wet with rain and wind complains of pain, the panorama terso is the curtain, each photo I shoot is grey, as frames over the end credits…In the distance a song I don't know yet, I'm told is called "can't be too bad"…
Tushar Majmudar
The editors of OperaeOpera, who long ago had also published a’ interview with Alan Rickman from Volterra, revived here, joins the condolence of Maestro Migliorini and the Staff of the International Festival of the Roman Theatre of Volterra, in the personal memory of the great artist and man “Special”.
Natalia Dantas ©dibartolocritic
Sources, VIDEOS AND PHOTOS: @Simone Dominic Migliorini, ©Roman Theatre Festival of Volterra