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Texts by Alessandro Napoli
fratellinapoli@hotmail.com
Antica Bottega del Puparo - Via Reitano 55, 95121, Catania
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The Marionette Company Fratelli Napoli
ANCIENT SHOP OF THE NAPOLI BROTHERS
The ancient Workshop of the Napoli brothers is located in the historic center of Catania, near the Ursino Castle and the Fish Market. It represents a heritage of great historical and cultural importance for the area, because, from the time of Gaetano Napoli to today, the "knowledge of the hand" and the craft rules that allow the creation of all the artistic handicraft objects linked to the tradition of the Catanese Opera dei Pupi have been handed down here from generation to generation.
BIRTH OF A BABY
The making of the Catanese puppets "as a craft" involves a complex series of skills, ranging from carving the pieces of the torso to sculpting and painting the head, from working on the armor to tailoring work.
It is an art that has been handed down in the Napoli family for several generations. Pippo Napoli learned the basics and techniques of this particular form of craftsmanship from the ancient coppersmith masters who, in the early decades of the twentieth century, embossed the armor of theater puppets, up to 1.30 meters tall. Of these now centuries-old puppets, the only "craft" that has remained intact and complete is today jealously guarded by the Napoli family. Fiorenzo Napoli learned the rules of the art from his uncle Pippo and further perfected them through his own personal research, which allowed him to combine refined goldsmithing techniques with the traditional embossing techniques with palo and puntiddi.
This wealth of knowledge has been gathered by Davide Napoli, who today, together with his father Fiorenzo, builds the armor. Also collaborating in the workshop are Alessandro Napoli for the padding and lining of the torsos and Agnese Torrisi Napoli for the making of the costumes.
BOOK A VISIT TO THE WORKSHOP
The Ancient Workshop of the Napoli Brothers can be visited by reservation.
For information, send an email to fratellinapoli@hotmail.com or contact us at (+39) 347 09 54 526
Antica Bottega del Puparo - Marionettistica F.lli Napoli
Via Reitano 55, 95121 Catania CT