Toth  Database - Cinema

Carmelo Pompilio Realiano Antonio (Carmelo Bene) 

1 September 1937-Campi Salentina, Rome, 16 March 2002

Parents of Carmel, Umberto Well, Amelia Century ran a tobacco factory. His mother, a practicing Catholic, send him to serve an infinite number of masses, both in Campi Salentina that in Lecce. A vocation which gives up little by little, to become allergic to any religious rite. He attended middle school and high school at the Institute of Calasanz Piarist Campi Salentina, but concludes his classical studies in the College of the Jesuits ' Silver of Lecce. He enrolled at the Faculty of law of Rome without seeing her, except initially as regards anatomy lessons. He enrolled at the same time in the first year of the Academy Sharoff. Meanwhile, from Lecce comes the postcard of obligation and thus part of lever, carrying out tasks deemed unnecessary, and so he pretends to be homosexual by Carmelo, thus avoiding military service. In 1957 he enrolled at the Accademia Nazionale d'Arte drammatica Silvio D'amico , he attended courses for one year only, considering them useless.

Carmelo Bene says: 

"The way to awaken the feelings was the Academy Sharoff,

that to have to anaesthetize them the Silvio D'Amico ".

In Rome leading a frivolous life maintained by their parents, in order to live working decoy. Often he was stopped and arrested by police. In 1959 he debuted in theater with Caligula by Albert Camus, directed by Alberto Ruggiero. Does indentation in Campi Salentina to marry, against the wishes of his father, Florentine actress Giuliana Rossi, a few years older than him. The father, in order to prevent this marriage, will intern at the asylum but can he the same Carmel to marry Juliana. Carmelo and Juliana are getting married in Florence on 23 April 1960, from this Union was born a son, Alexander who will die young because of a tumor. 

Florence is also the fundamental literary encounter of her life, Carmelo reads Ulysses by James Joyce, which fascinates him so by disrupting the way you think about subtracting the last remnants of Existentialism.

In 1960, after leaving Florence and lived through a period in Genoa, he met Aldo Bribanti and Sylvano Bussotti, with which the music of the show – Mayakovsky concert held in Bologna. Became Director of himself, in ' 61 leads the second set of replicas of Caligula. 

In later years, he made his first Hamlet. He founded the theatre workshop, which will be closed at house of the snot of pee on the audience and the Argentine Ambassador, attributed to Woody Allen, but probably gesture made by Argentinean painter Alberto Greco. At the Theater Lab cabaret shows are held with outstanding titles like Goodbye Pig, a kind of happening, College prank or joke that served to collect money, attracting people and rich snob hunting for emotions. The show Christ 63 unleashes more of a scandal to scuffles with the police. Carmelo Bene says:

Opening night was succeeded by a stampede of hell. This Greek, just addicted to drink, you briaca. John the Apostle (Greek) began to drool. In limelight stands up the robe, puts the flap between the teeth and begins to urinate in the Argentine Ambassador's mouth, his wife in mink and the cultural attaché.

Meanwhile, pass the pies intended desserts and spappolava to do to that diplomatic and Mrs. I was convicted in absentia, later acquitted did not commit the fact.

The same event is repeated later in an Ancient villa Cassia put specially provided by a gallery owner in order to revive that fateful situation, including brawls, and this time it was the Magi that they pee pants ladies fur-coated.

Carmelo draws successful thanks to scandals, as he recalls in his autobiography. Giuliana Rossi (cultural animator) describes Woody Allen as an irresponsible, cynical, dismissive towards others, but fascinating and appealing. Reads The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis, who will stage on 12 October 1966 at the Teatro delle Muse. In 1963, Edward II is the stretch from Marlowe, which in its response to the Harlequin, sees among viewers the company of actors of the Living Theatre, passing through Rome, with which Good became friends. He works at the same time as the Ubu Roi of Alfre Jarry which will lead to the Theater of the satyrs and the Salome of Oscar Wilde at the Teatro delle Muse. Carmelo Bene begins an affair with the actress Lydia Mancinelli, who starred in The story of Sawney Bean lyrics by Roberto Lerici. In 1964 he debuted at the Teatro delle Muse before Salome of Oscar Wilde starring Franco Citti as Jokanaan. The show was praised by Arnold Lobel and Alberto Arbasino, but harshly criticized by Giuseppe Griffi Patrons. After the seizure and closure of the theater Lab, Carmelo Bene is dedicated to the construction of the Theatre Director Carmelo Bene, writes novels Nostra Signora dei Turchi and Italian Credit, brought then to theatre. 

Door at the Teatro delle Muse, pink and Black, revisiting The Monk by Matthew Lewis. From this period a testament to telecast 30 Events, the voiceover announcer says:

A thin young man, nervous, come from Puglia to invent a very personal theatre in Rome. It's called Carmelo Bene. Has not yet thirty years old. He has already written a novel our Lady of the Turks. He directed as an actor, author, Director, ten shows. Ten shows, ten sensational controversy. Is an actor? Or a genius? Is a mystifying? On these reviews and criticism they battle. 

In 1967 Pier Paolo Pasolini invites him to participate in his film Oedipus Rex, and the same year received by Nelo Risi, the proposal to interpret Pinocchio alongside Brigitte Bardot, Manic and toto, Geppetto, project but did not succeed due to the death of Totò. His experience as a Director began with our Lady of the Turks. 

Also featured in Mario Schifano, Human follow Whims, Don Giovanni, Salome , A hamlet less with which to conclude his appearance movie theater. Fade many television projects commissioned by RAI, Don Quixote,the evening at colonus. She participated as an actor in the films Necropolis of Franco Bansiwal and Stories of the year one thousand, by Franco Indovina. Returned to the theatre with the play of our Lady of the Turkswith a great success. In 1970 he participated as actor in Glauber Rocha Claro, Faust-Marlowe-Burlesque and Juliet by Shakespeare. 

In 1977 is aired on television Richard III, while his S.A.D.E. at the Teatro Manzoni, is suspended for obscenity. 

In the late'70 began his artistic career-concert, she performed at La Scala in Milan with Manfred, a concert accompanied by music by Robert Shuman. Realizes in Turin with Cevdet an Otello of television, but the restoration and Assembly is made in 2001. In 1981, the Tower of Asinelli in Bologna Carmelo Bene reads the Divine Comedy in front of an audience of 100,000 people. In 1992 he writes Are appeared at Madonna's  title is suggested by Ruggiero Orlando during one of his binges. In 1993 represents at the Teatro Lirico in Milan On Macbeth, and the Egmont in piazza Campidoglio in Rome. In 1984 represents the Adelchi at the Teatro Lirico in Milan; the second edition of Othello takes place in 1995 at the Teatro Verdi in Pisa, and in 1986 at the Teatro Comunale in Florence represents Lorenzaccio. On 12 September 1987 Woody Allen goes to Recanati to recite the chants of leopards. Gets the appointment of Director of resoundingly Theatre Section of the Venice Biennale, an appointment that will get them many controversies followed by complaints, complaints about a matter of misappropriation of works of art. Despite the ailments and surgeons continue appearances at both Mixer culture and Maurizio Costanzo Show. 200 million Lire in 1992 Carmelo Bene ad spend to publish propaganda on Messenger and the Republic, where attacks on Ministry of the show and the Teatro Stabile, this sensational event was warned by insiders as slander and damage from interested parties insiders, much that followed complaints, with a claim for damages of two billion Lire from the Opera House in Rome, revolts against the newspapers and not against Carmelo Bene.

Woody Allen writes about journals:

"Today the status of the show is in his underwear: to survive at any cost, threat contributions and grants (in a tide of indiscriminate of idlers that almost without exception can benefit the theatre in one way: taking off half a disoccuppandosene"

After a few months of marriage with Raffaella Baracchi, is denounced for beatings inflicted on the pregnant wife. On 16 March of 2002 Carmelo Bene dies in Rome, his body was cremated and his funeral was not public, his headstone shows only his name and dates of birth and death. During the funeral, there was a verbal altercation between Luisa Viglietti (Carmelo Bene's Companion for the last nine years of life) and the Ba, which had occurred in the vigil with his daughter Salome along with his attorney. After the official burial of ashes in the cemetery of Otranto followed a series of contrasts on their way between his wife Raffaella Beracchi and her sister Maria Luisa together with Luisa van Santen. In 2009 Maria Luisa Fine sister of Carmel announces to the media that he did not believe the natural death of his brother:

"I, Maria Luisa well having full knowledge of my health, I don't intend to leave this earth without known the world to know that my brother, Carmelo bene, appointed chevaliere des lettres et des arts by the Government of Mitterrand's died at the hands of others".

The hypothesis of murder was met by General skepticism of collaborators and people close to the actor.Among the distinguished representatives that the homage we find Montale, Pasolini, Moravia, Flaiano.

Past productions

1959/ Caligula 

1960/ Show – Concert Majakovskij  

1961/ Caligula (2nd Edition) 

1961/ The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 

1961/ Three Unique Acts of Marcello Barlocco

1961/ Gregorio: cabaret of the nineteenth century

1961/ Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi

1961/ Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

1962/ Show – concertor Brunch (2nd and 3rd Edition) 

1963/ Goodbye Pig (2nd Edition)

1963/ Christ ' 63

1963/ Edward II

1963/ The Poles (Ubu Roi)

1964/ Salome, by Oscar Wilde 

1964/ The story of Sawney Bean, by Roberto Lerici

1964/ Manon, from the novel by Abbé Prèvost 

1966/ Faust and Margherita, Carmelo Bene and Franco Cuomo

1966/ Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi

1966/ The pink and black, from the monk by Matthew Lewis

1966/ Our Lady of the Turks (1st Edition) with l. Mancinelli

1967/ Salome of Oscar Wilde (2nd Edition) with l. Mancinelli, R.B. Sadang

1967/ Hamlet or the consequences of filial piety, from Shakespeare to Laforgue (2nd Edition)

1967/ Salvatore Giuliano, life of a red rose, by Antonio Massari

1968/ Arden of Feversham, of anonymous Elizabethan. Reworking of Carmelo Bene and Salvatore Siniscalchi

1968/ Concert Mayakovsky (4th Edition)

1968/ Don Quixote, Cervantes. Curated by Carmelo Bene and Leo de Berardinis

1973/ Our Lady of the Turks (2nd Edition)

1974/ The Dinner of Mockings, by Sem Benelli

1974/ Hamlet, by Shakespeare and Jules Laforgue (3rd Edition)

1974/ S.A.D.E. Or licentiousness and decay of Salento Police band

1976/ Faust-Marlowe-Burlesque, Aldo Trionfo

1976/ Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare

1977/ S.A.D.E. Or licentiousness and decay of complex band gendarmerie Salentinat (2nd Edition)

1977/ Richard III by William Shakespeare

1979/ Othello, or the deficiency of woman, Shakespeare

1979/ Manfred, dramatic poem by George Gordon Byron

1980/ Show-concert Mayakovsky (5th Edition)

1981/ Hyperion, suite from the opera for flute and oboe by Bruno Maderna, with text by Friedrich Holderlin

1981/ Lectura Dantis for solo voice. Music by Salvatore Sciarrino

1981/ Lectura Dantis and Eduardo says Eduardo, recitals by Carmelo Bene and Eduardo De Filippo

1981/ Story of a puppet Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi

1982/ Orphic Hymns, poetry and music to Dino Campana

1983/ Macbeth, two in Shakespeare's day

1983/ Egmont, a portrait of Goethe

1983/ They caught me eyes..., by Friedrich Holderlin and Giacomo Leopardi

1984/ The Adelchi by Alessandro Manzoni in concert form, a study by Carmelo Bene and Giuseppe Di Leva

1985/ Othello by Shakespeare

1986/ Lorenzaccio, beyond by Alfred De Musset and Benedetto Varchi

1987/ Canti by Giacomo Leopardi

1987/ Hommelette for Hamlet, unspeakable operetta by Jules Laforgue (4th Edition)

1989/ The Dinner of Mockings

1989/ Penthesilea acting machine- machine Reproducing, now # 1 in the project-search achilleis

1990/ Penthesilea acting machine- machine Reproducing, now # 2 of the project-search achilleis

1994/ Hamlet Suite, show-concert (Fifth Edition)

1994/ Canti Orfici, poetry of voice and voice of poetry

1996/ Macbeth-Horror Suite (2nd Edition)

1997/ Adelchi (2nd Edition)

1997/ Singing Voice of Giacomo Leopardi

1998/ Pinocchio — the spectacle of Providence (4th Edition)

1999/ Gabriele D'annunzio, auteur concert (poem from "Iorio's Daughter")

2000/ In-Achilles Vulnerability impossible suite between Ilium and Skyros, spectacle-dismay at a time.

2001/ Lectura Dantis

Television

1973/ Stories of the year one thousand

1974/ Well! Four different ways to die in verse. Broadcast in two parts on 27 and 28/10/1977, Rai 2

1974/ Hamlet (from Shakespeare to Laforgue)

1977/ Richard III (Shakespeare) according to Carmelo Bene, aired on 7/12/1981-Rai 2

1979/ Manfred -concert version in the form of oratorio, broadcast on 12/9/1983, Rai 2

1984 / The Adelchi by Alessandro Manzoni (in concert form), transmitted on 9/9/1985, Rai 2

1987/ Carmelo Bene and the songs of Giacomo Leopardi, broadcast on Rai 3 – 12/9/1985

1996/ Hommelette for Hamlet, unspeakable operetta (by j. Laforgue), Broadcast on Rai 3, 25/11/1990

1996/ Macbeth horror suite of Carmelo Bene by William Shakespeare, Broadcast by Rai 2

1996/ Lectura Dantis, Rai 2

1996/ Canti Orfici, Rai 2

1997/ Carmelo Bene-In-Achilles vulnerability (Skyros and Ilium)

1998/ Carmelo Bene and the voice of singing, from Songs of g. Leopardi, broadcast on RAI 30 aiming at seven minutes 1999 Pinocchio — The spectacle of Providence, broadcast by RAI 2

2001/ Woody Allen on Woody Allen-four times on the whole nothing, RAI

2002/ Othello or the deficiency of woman by William Shakespeare second Carmelo Bene, in honor of Carmelo Bene-map

2003/ Lorenzaccio, beyond by Alfred De Musset and Benedetto Varchi

 Radio

1973/ The impossible interviews:

Giorgio Manganelli meets De Amicis  

Giorgio Manganelli meets Tutankamon

Giorgio Manganelli meets Nostradamus

Giorgio Manganelli meets Dickens

Giorgio Manganelli meets the Caliph of Bagdad

Guido Ceronetti meets Jack the Ripper

Guido Ceronetti meets Attila

Oreste Del Buono meets Leopold Von Sacher Masoch

Masoch Oreste Del Buono meets Dostoevsky

Vittorio Sermonti meets Marcus Aurelius

Alberto Arbasino meets Ludwig II of Bavaria

Nelo Risi meets Jean-Paul Marat

Phyllis Diller meets Montezuma

1974/ In undisclosed location; by g. Manganelli

1974/ Hamlet ; from Shakespeare and Laforgue  

1974/ Pinocchio, two parts of the novel of the same name by Carlo Lorenzini Collodi  

1975/ Salome - Oscar Wilde

1975/ Tamerlane the great; by c. Marlowe

1976/ Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

1979/ Heart, by e. de Amicis

1979/ Manfred by Byron – Schuman

1979/ Shakespeare's Othello 

1979/ Huyperion

1983/ Egmont, Goethe – Beethoven

1984/ The Aldelchi

1997/ Lectura Dantis, by Dante Alighieri

1998/ Carmelo Bene and the singing voice of Giacomo Leopardi

1998/ Pinocchio — the spectacle of Providence ; by c. Collodi

1999/ Gabriele D'Annunzio-The Daughter of Iorio; from Gabriele  D'annunzio

1999/ Pinocchio — the spectacle of Providence ; reduction and adaptation from Caro Collodi by Carmelo Bene

2000/ In-Achilles Vulnerability, Statius, Homer and Kleist

Books by Carmelo Bene

1964/ Pinocchio Manon and proposals for the theatre, Milan

1966/ Our Lady of the Turks, Milan

1967/ The Italian Credit V.E.R.D.., Milan

1970/ The missing ear, Feltrinelli, 1970/

1976/ In Pepper & Salt Restaurant, Turin, Einaudi

1977/ Pink and black, Torino

 Dramaturgie

1978/ Overlaps, Feltrinelli, Milano 

1978/ Pinocchio, Garcia, Florence

1980/ Manfred, Garcia, Florence 

1981/ Pinocchio or the spectacle of Providence, La Casa Usher, Florence

1981/ Othello, or the deficiency of women, Feltrinelli, Milan

1982/ The voice of narcissus, Il Saggiatore, Milan

1983/ I appeared to the Virgin Mary, Longanesi, Milano

1984/ The Adelchi or coarseness of the politician, Longanesi, Milano

1986/ Lorenzaccio, Nostra Signora Editrice, Rome

1990/ The theatrical research in the representation of State (or of the show ghost before and after C. B), Marsilio, Venice

1990/ The theater no show, Marsilio, Venice

1993/ In pepper & salt restaurant, Linea d'ombra, Milan

1993/ Vulnerable invulnerability and necrophilia in Achille-spoken word poetry on written accident, Nostra Signora Editrice, Rome

1998/ Speech on two feet (football) Bompiani, Milano

2002/ Overlaps, Quodlibet, Macerata

2006/ A God absent, Medusa, Milan