Coro per voce sola: la coralità antica sulla scena contemporanea

The chorus is a distinctive feature of Greek Drama that lost importance and almost disappeared in the modern history of European theatre. Therefore it is now a notorious problem for playwrights and directors. Most of them avoid it or suffer it when adapting an ancient text or bringing it on stage. Some of them prefer to cut or to reduce choral parts. But the chorus, and the emotion of a multitude, can also be a great resource for a reprise of Greek Drama. Some recent productions can be cited as good examples. One of them in particular, the Persians performed at the Grütli Theatre (Geneva) in 2006, is worth a deep analysis for its huge chorus of 170 citizens: it was originally meant to recreate mass participation in Festivals and in the democratic institutions of ancient Athens, and it finally turns out to be an outstanding experience both for the chorus members and the audience.