The Cantata dei Pastori (the Shepherds’ Cantata)

Author: Serena

This is a very ancient drama representing the birth of Christ. This work was written during the XVII century by the Sicilian playwright Andrea Perrucci. Its plot narrates the Mary and Joseph trip towards Bethlehem and the way how Devils impede the birth of Jesus. Finally these negative forces will be defeated by the Angels and the play ends with the adoration of the various characters of the nativity-set: the shepherds, the hunters and the fishers.

Among the main religious characters there is the addition of Razzullo who is a scribe sent in Palestine to do the census: this is a comic and popular character who is always hungry.

Throughout time this plot has been transformed and, at the end of the XVIII century, another character is added in this story: his name is Sarchiapone who is a barber who is escaping after having killed two people.

So as time went by, the original religious and moralist tone of this play became much more comic and profane.

Today in Naples this play is performed every year at Christmas by the Peppe Barra theatrical company .