Repertoire

Improvisational street theater in character with participants and customers. We are experienced in gigging with a number of different faire groups, from court to peasant, including the Guild of St. George (court) and the Naughty Minstrels. Stage show: musical pieces (sung in Italian, French, and English, both a cappella and accompanied) witty dialogue including a short, humorous poetry duel between two courtesans lively period dancing Music: our members include an accomplished harper, talented singers, and percussion players.

Songs: our constantly growing repetoire includes:

• A la Guerra (Italian)
• A Leita Vita (Italian)
• Amarilli (Italian)
• Amor Ch’Attendi (Italian)
• Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie (French)
• Can She Excuse My Wrongs (English)
• Canto, Canto, Festa, Festa (Italian)
• Come Again (English)
• Daphne (English)
• Donna da Vostri Sguardi (Italian)
• Douce Dame Jolie (French)
• Fuggi, Fuggi, Fuggi (Italian)
• If My Complaints Could Passions Move (English)
• Je Suis Ravi (French)
• Mal un Muta par Effecto (Italian)
• O Ochi Manza Mia (Italian)
• Say Love if Ever Thou Did'st Find (English)
• Scaramella (Italian)
• La Sirena (Italian)
• Think'st Thou that by thy Feigning (English)
• Ti Partir cor Mio Caro (Italian)
• Tutto Lo Mal Che Va Facendo Amore (Italian)
• Wanton Fit (English)
• Instrumental Renaissance pieces

Research background in:

• Italian accent and language
• 16th c. Italian, English, and French Renaissance music
• 16th c. Venetian clothing of courtesans and noblewomen
• Art and food in 16th c. Italy and Venice
• Female poets of 16th c. Italy
• Classical texts with which an educated courtesan would have been familiar
• Languages a courtesan might have spoken or studied (French, Latin, etc.)
• Sumptuary laws in Venice and England (as they relate to foreign visitors)

Costumes: our costumes (made by Bella Donna members), historically accurate reproductions of 1560s-70s upper class Venetian clothing, have won numerous awards:

• Jwlhyfer de Winter's Seresina costume won Best in Class, Master, Interpretation in the historical masquerade at Costume Con 22; and was featured in the Italian Showcase at the Realm of Venus, where it won the Golden Rose Award (1st place) in the Italian Showcase of the Year Awards, 2003.
• Kendra Van Cleave's Angelica costume was featured in the Italian Showcase at the Realm of Venus, where it won the Golden Rose Award (1st place) in the Italian Showcase of the Year Awards' post-1550 category, 2006.
• Jennifer Erlichman's Lucrezia costume was featured in the Italian Showcase at the Realm of Venus, where it won the Copper Rose Award (3rd place) in the Italian Showcase of the Year Awards' post-1550 category, 2006.

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All text and images (C) Bella Donna Venetian Courtesans

Last updated 3 June 2008