notjustaboutsex

by Nancy Cohen-koan

The Black Madonna is an icon of worship that can be traced back to pagan, pre – Christian times. She represents devotion to the Earth Mother, the African Goddess and to a time when people understood God to be female as well as Black.  She is still revered in Italy and in New York there were no less than three churches that held worship for the Black Madonna in the East Village.

I.J. Isola, writing for the W.P.A. n 1936, noted: “The New York Black Madonna is credited by believers, with possessing the miraculous curative powers of the original (Sicily and other parts of Italy, Ethiopia, etc.), as is attested by the many votive offerings at her shrine.” Apparently, she could cure many of the parts of the body including arms, legs and breasts. Since pre-Christian times she has been the   protector of gays, transgender and LGBTQ+ people, known as Femminielli in the Neapolitan Culture and Galli in Rome(where they were priests of the Phrygian goddess Cybele, or Magna Mater

Alessandra Belloni, a native Roman, studied in New York and realized that her true calling was honoring the Black Madonna through her love of Italian folk music. She learned the ancient tammorriata tradition of the Earth goddess and for 35 years has traveled the globe performing and doing research in this ancient form of empowerment. Along with her partner and fellow musician John T. La Barbera, they create a musical dance installation, as much art as sacred healing. I Giullari di Piazza, founded in 1980, specializes in medieval pilgrimage songs, Southern Italian tarantellas and devotional chants with ritual drumming. This concert celebrates the 45th anniversary of the group’s founding and features selections from its original opera, “Voyage of the Black Madonna,” which was a watershed creation for the company.

I was familiar with Alessandra before the show after watching a PBS program about buying houses in Italy, PBS series “Dream of Italy. She has a devoted following there and by the looks of the audience at St. John the Divine last Friday, one here as well. I saw many women signing up for her goddess -type classes; she infuses spirit and beauty and recognition of the female spirit. What could be bad?

In Alessandra’s show Mystic Rhythms & Sacred Chants for Seven Black Madonnas from Italy to Spain, she and her glorious troupe explore the different incarnations of the Black Madonna with ancient music, dance and stilt performance. It is a festive experience that recalls medieval street theatre, intoxicating and beautiful.

Her voice is deep and soulful and her percussion skills amazing… for this occasion, Giovannangelo de Gennaro from Puglia brought his magnificent voice… a voice perfectly suited for the wonderful acoustics of the chapel in St. John the Divine.

Graceful dancers performed wearing elaborate costumes… characters ranging from virginal maidens to the goddess who can control snakes…dancing with a real one. The Sun God on stilts moved through them, transporting all of us to another time where nature was revered and female power honored.

John la Barbera introduced a song which is based on pre-Christian notations of a melody found in Greece. He expanded on the tune and it was beautiful not only for his arrangement, but the knowledge that its origins are so ancient and yet feels so contemporary.

This magical show is a shoe in for Earth Day performances and must be included in environmental events that remind us of the power of nature and our requirement to love her and be grateful for her bounteous gifts.

Other musicians include: Mara Gerety (vocals & violin), Christa Patton(harp, oboe & recorder) and dancers, Francesco Silvano, Amaraand Mark Mindek (stilt dancer in the role of the Poet Virgil).

The troupe spends part of their time in New Jersey and Alessandra will be offering classes to the fortunate in New Jersey.

As for me, I’m dreaming to buy a place in Puglia and stay as close to the world that honors such a beautiful tradition.

For more information and future performance dates: http://www.alessandrabelloni.com

all photos by N. Cohen-koan