The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Milan, Italy, is excited to kick off its cultural program, “Tonight at the Museum: The Paths of Friendship,” featuring the theatrical adaptation ali prodotti dal Museo “Come fuoco. Da Narciso e Boccadoro di Herman Hesse” [As Fire: From Narcissus and Goldmund] by Hermann Hesse. This compelling performance will be held on March 26, 27, and April 1, 2025, launching a series of 11 events that explore the multifaceted nature of friendship through theater, music, and dance in the enchanting setting of Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi.
Project director Mario Scandale and playwright Giulia Bartolini have joined forces to adapt Hesse’s novel, a cornerstone of early 20th-century literature. The story centers on the deep bond between Narcissus—a man of intellect—and Goldmund, a passionate artist. After years apart, the two friends reunite, igniting a powerful dialogue filled with memories and reflections on their shared past and the inevitable decay of the present.
As Scandale states, “Telling this encounter means questioning the essence of life: to burn brightly with intensity or to elevate oneself in abstraction? It is a journey of bodies, words, and suspended desires.”
Giulia Bartolini highlights the challenge of adapting such a profound narrative, saying, “This adaptation is a never-ending endeavor. We have chosen a clear path: two actors, a story of friendship and affection, and a coming-of-age journey amidst a world in collapse, where time flows inexorably, and life weighs heavily as each character makes their choices.”
“As Fire” is a bold theatrical work derived from Hesse’s novel, featuring the reunion of Narcissus and Goldmund after many years apart. The beauty of Goldmund remains that of a youth in Narcissus’s eyes. Their encounter raises unresolved questions, forcing them to traverse the history of their friendship.
The dialogue shifts from the present to a series of flashbacks—some real, some imagined—that tell of their past and what might have been. These memories emerge in various expressive forms: written dialogue, performative moments, music, dance, and dreamlike yet concrete sounds, culminating in a cyclical narrative that opens and closes with Goldmund’s fate.
In addition to “As Fire,” the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum will present two more original productions later this year: “Measuring the Shadow: Fausto and Giuseppe Bagatti Valsecchi” on October 8 and 10, directed by Chicco Dossi, and “Juliet and Desdemona” on November 26, directed by Alessandro Merletti De Palo. These works continue to delve into themes of friendship, love, and personal destiny.
Mario Scandale is a graduate of the National Academy of Dramatic Art and has received accolades for his direction of various successful productions. He founded Ginkgo Teatro in 2018.
Giulia Bartolini combines her background in classical studies with her talents as a playwright and director, creating thought-provoking works that explore deep human relationships.
Together with actors Michele Di Giacomo and Michelangelo Canzi, they promise an emotionally resonant theatrical experience that reflects the complexities of friendship and human connection amid change.
For additional information and ticket bookings, please visit the official website of the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum. Don’t miss the chance to engage with a profound artistic exploration of the multifaceted nature of friendship and the human experience.