At the beginning we were subjects of the story, but at the end of XVII th century we became the main charachters of Opra’s Theatre. Since then myself and my buddy Virticchio tell Orlando heroic deeds, the Paladins of France at the time of King Charles and stories of knights told by Giusto Lo Dico.
At the time of the story we were only words, nowadays we have a body, operated by skilled hands and we occupy the stage.
Between Palermo and Catania
I am a palermitan puppet: as I told before the puppeteers made me short, I am only 80 cm tall and my joints made me kneel, I move in a little space and the puppeteer, always beside me but well hidden, gives me the voice and trample my ground, the skilled one, between a speech and another, put back the sword into the sheath. My buddy from Catania is more or less 130 cm, but he is too proud to kneel, he is combative and he always holds the sword in his hand.
His theatre is big and the puppeteer is struggling to stay beside him: he uses a bridge behind the backdrop. The puppeteer in Catania puts too much effort to move him and another puppeteer, the speaker, gives him the voice.
The paladin
From Palermo or from Catania , the Paladin is dressed with copper and nickel silver and his armor is very complex: it has the helm with crest and the curved shell gives shape to the bust, the greaves protect the legs from treacherous attacks.
We don’t have to forget the shield,
it’s beautiful, filled full of details, it makes us recognize the friend and the enemy.
There are many ornaments and shapes: pointed, Jesus heart, oval, round, star and platter.
«Nofriu, which platter? Weren’t we talking about paladins?»
«Virticchio, are you always thinking about food? I have just finished to tell our history and to describe our companions, but now let them introduce themselves»
«You are right, you confirm to be a walking encyclopedia, but this time it’s better they speak for themselves.»
