Percy Bysshe Shelley Cenci
The Cenci, 1819
Tragedy

 

Translated by Srečko Fišer
Directed by Diego de Brea

 

Opening in September 2009

Slovenian premiere

 

 

Count Francesco Cenci, a Roman nobleman donates huge amounts of money to pope Clement VIII. His generosity keeps him from being punished for his crimes. One day count Cenci invites his second wife Lucrezia and his sixteen-year-old daughter Beatrice to a feast. The women find out that the death of Cenci’s two sons, Beatrice’s brothers, is the occasion for the celebration. The girl’s indignant cries for help are ignored by the bribed dignitaries as well, as they ignore the scandalous crime once again. Later count Cenci abuses his own daughter. This makes Lucrezia, Beatrice and young Giacomo decide to take justice into their own hands and end the life of their tyrant father. After the murder they sentence them to death by hanging. All the efforts and pleads are in vain – the tragedy ends with a scene in jail. The faith of the unfortunate conspirators is written, there is no way out. Thus ends the family of Cenci.

This tragedy is based on a true 1599 story. The story itself and Guido's portrait of young Beatrice inspired the great poet to write this intriguing drama in blank verse. It is accompanied by an equally interesting, contemporary, and at times provocative preface.

 

The delicate subject matter must have been the main reason why 70 years had passed from its creation before the play was performed for the first time. Later it was tackled by many distinguished directors, the best known staging was the 1935 Artaud's Paris production. The contents are still up-to-date, giving this romantic piece its value and power.