Performing Arts Italian-Speaking Students Debut in a Musical Show Set in the Valley of the Greek Temples in Sicily

This summer, Montclair State University has been “waking up” in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento in Sicily with a project that has a “divine” quality to it. Thanks to an international internship supported by the Inserra Chair in Italian & Italian American Studies and the Angelo & Marie Cali (CHSS) scholarships, three Montclair State University students are an active part of #RisvegliodegliDei (The Re-awakening of the Gods), an immersive show, written and directed by Maestro Marco Savatteri.

After auditions held in March, two students were granted a scholarship to fund a two-month stay in Agrigento, rehearsing and performing with the Savatteri Produzioni company: Mia Grizzuti is a major in Musical Theatre (CART) and Brianna Coppolino is a Master’s student in Voice, Cali School of Music — they are both taking classes in the Italian Program. In love with the idea of performing in the magical Valley of the Greek Temples (#ValledeiTempli), Emma Mason decided to participate through direct funding from Savatteri Produzioni, after her graduation (BA in Voice, Cali School).

Mia Grizzuti, Emma Mason, and Brianna Coppolino

Read about: BRIANNA’S EXPERIENCE    MIA’S EXPERIENCE   EMMA’S EXPERIENCE

The students have also been invited to take part in other shows regularly presented by the Savatteri company (Bianca Lancia, a musical about Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II’s legendary lover; and Scopri il teatro, an interactive show about the history of Agrigento’s Teatro Pirandello), but also new productions including in the opera genre, in which Marco Savatteri moved his first yet very convincing steps (Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana presented in Enna and at the breathtaking Teatro Classico of Taormina in mid-August).

Video: Footage and editing by Colin Keyes

️“This program has changed us as artists, students, and people: adaptability, cultural and linguistic enrichment, challenges and creative answers, as well as the pleasure of a slow pace of life in Agrigento, are part of this extraordinary experience – stated the three students, visibly moved. “Performing in front of the Temple of Concordia with our voices echoing through the columns dating back to the 5th century BCE was an exhilarating feeling.” This emotional and professional journey reached its most intense expression when Mia and Brianna were assigned the solo part at the end of two separate show, and beautifully interpreted the role of Fate.

Lori McCann, Brianna Coppolino, Emma Mason, Mia Grizzuti, Teresa Fiore, and Marco Savatteri

“This program serves as an ideal model of collaboration between academia and the world of musical theater, between faraway places working closely together such as Agrigento and Montclair, between artists who speak different languages and share knowledge, giving voice to a show imbued with ancient yet still very topical stories that explore the relationship between humans and gods. We make joint decisions to lead this program, attending to the affective dimension, and seeing in it a sacred experience: an example of peaceful sharing in a world increasingly permeated by conflicts” – said Prof. Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair, WLC Dept., CHSS), Professor Lori McCann (Voice, Cali School, CART), and Maestro Savatteri, who have woven together this international summer program along with Ryan Kasprzak (Head of the Musical Theatre Program).

An infinite thank you to Mr. Inserra for his great generosity, to Maestro Savatteri with his tireless genius and sensitivity, to Savatteri Produzioni for the precious logistical support, to the company for the warm welcome, to Ente Parco della Valle dei Templi, and to Agrigento Italian Capital of Culture 2025.

Photo credits: Elena Dibattista and Irene Zunardi.
Program description: click here
Short link: tinyurl.com/MSUStudentsMusicalValleyAG