After the extraordinary success of classical performances in Syracuse for the season 2015, the National Institute of Ancient Drama prepares for the 2016 season which will see the “woman” as a guideline for the 52 minutes of classical plays in Syracuse cycle. The works happening from 13 May to 26 June 2016 are:

• Sophocles’ Electra
• Alcestis of Euripides
• Seneca’s Phaedra

The tragedy of Phaedra Seneca, on stage at the Greek Theatre June 23 to 26, will be performed on tour in the most important ancient theaters.
 
Hints about the plot: Electra by Sophocles
Orestes, son of Agamemnon, long time back to Mycenae, along with Pylades and pedagogue to avenge the death of his father, murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus to usurp the throne. Age home Oreste, as heir to the throne, was saved from death for murder by his sister Electra. This fact had entrusted to a Phocaean man, who had kept away from the ignoble intentions of those who lived in the palace. Since that day, Elettra, he felt a deep hatred (and returned) to the two killers, had lived in the hope that Orestes might one day come back to avenge his father. Returned to Mycenae in secret, Oreste organizes a trap spreads false news of his death, which allows him to see the joy (and thus evil) of the mother Clytemnestra. Electra, on the contrary, is desperate, but it takes courage and decides that she will avenge his father. Obtained proof of loyalty sister, Orestes reveals his identity, and together they organize a plan to implement their revenge. Orestes enters the palace and kill without pity the mother pleading, then meets Aegisthus. Drags him off stage to kill him, and it was on this closes the tragedy.
 
Hints about the plot: Alcestis of Euripides
The god Apollo is said to have been condemned by Zeus to serve as a slave in the house of Admetus, king of Pherae in Thessaly, to atone for the guilt of having killed the Cyclops revenge on the Asclepius son’s death. Thanks to his kindly reception, Apollo had for Admeto great respect, so as to be able to obtain from the Fates that his friend could escape death, provided that someone sacrificed for him. No one, however, was willing to do so, nor friends, nor the aged parents: only his beloved wife Alcestis had called ready. When the scene comes Thanatos, Death, Apollo tries in vain to avoid the death of the woman and walks away, leaving the house surrounded by a terrible silence. With the entrance to the choir of the citizens of Fere it opens the real tragedy proper. While the chorus crying for the fate of the queen, a maid comes out of the palace and announced that Alcestis is now ready to die, even if overcome by emotion over the fate of his family. With the help of Admetus and pities children herself, accusing her in-laws, who selfishly did not want to make sacrifices, and finally consolation to her husband.
 
Hints about the plot: Phaedra Seneca
Everything takes place in Athens. Phaedra is madly in love with her stepson Hippolytus. With so much fear and pushed by the nurse, he reveals his love, and Ippolito, indignant, runs away from the building. Phaedra decides to take revenge: When Theseus returns from his business in the Underworld, the lying Ippolito said that he tried to rape her. Theseus, furious, invoking the curse on the child, who dies in a horrible, dragged by nature where there was a trunk without a part of his body. When the body is returned to the palace Hippolytus, Phaedra confesses his crime to Theseus and kills. His father can do is cry their lot, and reassembles her son’s body to pieces, and ordered his servants to throw the body into a pit of Phaedra.
 
For more information on classical performances in 2016 Siracusa, you can log on to the official website INDA (www.indafondazione.org) where you can view the detailed program, the arrangement of seats in the auditorium and book tickets online.
The images belong to the 2015 season. Franca Centaro photos