On the occasion of the 26th Week of the Italian Language in the World, whose theme this year is “Brilliant Language: Conceiving, Designing, and Creating with Italian”— that highlights the role of our language as a vehicle for Italian know-how, a byword for quality that is recognized and appreciated throughout the world — the Italian Cultural Institute has organised an exhibition of historical theatre costumes entitled “DRESSING THE IMAGINARY. Italian Ingenuity in Stage Costume Between Africa, the East, and Legend”, which will remain open to the public until 20 November 2026.
The creative project is curated by costume designer and stylist Alessandra Carta, in collaboration with Emanuele Zito, Artistic Director of Costumi d’Arte – Peruzzi, one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious theatrical costume ateliers, founded in 1815.
The exhibition showcases precious costumes that bring together the elegance of great fashion and the magic of the stage, bringing to life iconic figures from history and myth (particularly from Ethiopia) as well as characters from the world of opera, including the Queen of Sheba, Solomon, Semiramide, Cleopatra, Aida, Amonasro and Turandot.
