In December 2003 Irish Producer Joseph Mitchell received an email from Italian film director Porzia Addabbo telling him about a short documentary she was directing in an Italian Maximum security prison, Mitchell decided to visit the prison and catch up with the documentary production.
In December 2003 Irish Arts Producer Joseph Mitchell received a very unusual email from his Italian Film director colleague Porzia Addabbo telling him about this documentary she was directing in Maiano Maximum security prison, Spoleto, Italy. The documentary commisioned by Assessore Pier Luigi Neri of the "Arts and cultural" department of the "Provincia di Perugia" chronicled the progress of a prison opera project. The project involved the study of Puccini's famous opera "La Boheme" along with the making of sample "Sets and Costumes" for the Opera. The sets and costumes were small samples to demonstrate the skills involved in set design.
In April 2004 Mitchell visited the prison and was quite struck by the impact and benefits the project was having on the detainees. "Entering a maximum security prison is as everyone immagines it - daunting", however entering the prison workshop was a hive of creativity, "I was greeted by a painting by one of the prisoners of Puccini's Mimi, there was a buzz of activity about the place, it's something I'll never forget".
After the visit, Addabbo and Mitchell had the mandatory Cappucino during which time they discussed the project and asked the question - What about developing on "Provincia di perugia's documentary, What about asking the detainees to design and produce sets and costumes for a full scale Opera and for good measure "why not get an Irish Prison involved too?." On return to Ireland "Opera Ireland - www.operireland.com" were approached to see if they would be interested in using sets and costumes made in a prison in Italy and Ireland for the next production of Boheme. Artistic director Dieter Kaegi and CEO David Collopy had many questions but were encouragingly open to the idea. Following a viewing of the documentary, Kaegi and Collopy phoned to say "We were quite touched by the documentary" we'd love to work with you on the project.
Followup meetings with Senator Mary Henry and Governor John Lonergan of Mountjoy Prison, it wasn't long until the staff of Mountjoy warmed to the idea of participating in the project. Meanwhile back in Italy, Pier Luigi Ner of the "provincia di Perugia" is delighted to hear of the progress in Ireland and agrees to act as co-producer of the project in Italy.
In April 2004 Mitchell visited the prison and was quite struck by the impact and benefits the project was having on the detainees. "Entering a maximum security prison is as everyone immagines it - daunting", however entering the prison workshop was a hive of creativity, "I was greeted by a painting by one of the prisoners of Puccini's Mimi, there was a buzz of activity about the place, it's something I'll never forget".
After the visit, Addabbo and Mitchell had the mandatory Cappucino during which time they discussed the project and asked the question - What about developing on "Provincia di perugia's documentary, What about asking the detainees to design and produce sets and costumes for a full scale Opera and for good measure "why not get an Irish Prison involved too?." On return to Ireland "Opera Ireland - www.operireland.com" were approached to see if they would be interested in using sets and costumes made in a prison in Italy and Ireland for the next production of Boheme. Artistic director Dieter Kaegi and CEO David Collopy had many questions but were encouragingly open to the idea. Following a viewing of the documentary, Kaegi and Collopy phoned to say "We were quite touched by the documentary" we'd love to work with you on the project.
Followup meetings with Senator Mary Henry and Governor John Lonergan of Mountjoy Prison, it wasn't long until the staff of Mountjoy warmed to the idea of participating in the project. Meanwhile back in Italy, Pier Luigi Ner of the "provincia di Perugia" is delighted to hear of the progress in Ireland and agrees to act as co-producer of the project in Italy.