Alessandra Belloni is an Italian singer and percussionist specialized in the trance rhythms of her country. She studied acting at H.B. Studios, Voice with Prof. Michael Warren, Mime and Commedia dell’Arte at the Richard Morse Mime Theatre with Mimo Teatro Movimento, and with Dario Fo (1997 Literature Nobel Prize) at New York University.
She has worked in theater and film both in New York: Next Stop the Greenwich Village by Paul Mazursky and in Italy with Anna Magnani : La Lupa, and Federico Fellini’s Casanova.
Belloni founded I Giullari Di Piazza with classical guitarist/Composer John La Barbera in 1980, and was Artist in Residence at New York University for 10 years. Lately she has created cross-cultural productions dedicated to Mother Earth, featuring the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, African and Latin American Artists and was featured on the PBS documentary: La Festa with The Voyage of the Black Madonna.
Belloni won the Award as the Italian American Woman of the Year 1996, for her achievements in music and theatre, and the Community Arts Project Award from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
In the Fall 1997 she was awarded a special grant from the Carnahan Jackson Humanities Fund for a residency with the women studies at SUNY Fredonia. She is the Company’s director, writer, and lead performer of the Folk Operas: The Dance of the Ancient Spider, premiered at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center Stabat Maten Donna de Paradise, (Cathedral of St. John the Divine) The Voyage of the Black Madonna, (Cathedral of St. John the Divine) *l492-1992: Earth, Sun and Moon, commissioned by Lincoln Center out of Doors Festival 1992 – La Cantata dei Pastori, (Caramoor, St. John the Divine, Smithsonian and others) – La Lupa, (St. Mark’s Church, YALE, and others) The Adventures of Don Giovanni &his Servant Pulcinella, (Carnegie Hall )
Ms. Belloni teaches children’s workshops on Commedia deil’Arte, Italian folk songs and dances, at Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, Katonah (New York). At the Cathedral of St. John the Divine she holds regular classes on Italian tambourines and ritual dances. She also started a special rhythm and dance program at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and collaborated as guest artist with the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels Company, expanding her work in the origins of tarantella as music &dance therapy.
Discography
Earth, Sun & Moon, with I Giullari di Piazza (Lyrichord, 1995)
Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider (Sounds True, 2000)
Tarantelle and Canti d’Amore (Naxos World, 2002)
Daughter of the Drum (2007)
Tarantella Spider Dance, with I Giullari di Piazza (2009)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
