Is this the real face of Lucrezia Borgia?

The Guardian published an article yesterday about an interesting discovery at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.
A painting that was previously considered as a portrait of an unknown sitter by an unidentified artist, now is thought to be a portrait of Lucrezia Borgia by the great northern Italian painter Dosso Dossi.
There are other portraits of Lucrezia Borgia, but none have been accepted as genuine by scholars. The portrait is on display in the gallery and open to scrutiny by experts.
Read the article in the Guardian by following the link in the title.

A new biography of Lucrezia Borgia

Another book on a member of the Borgia family was published recently in Germany. The book Lucrezia Borgia. Biographie was written by Alois Uhl (1936), student of philosophy, theology and pedagogy. Uhl claims to present for the first time the whole truth about Lucrezia. After studying the original sources carefully he was able to discard many of the myths and stories surrounding Lucrezia's life.
The book is published by Artemis & Winkler in March 2008. ISBN: 978-3-491-35021-2. Price: €18.60

NY governor equals Borgia Pope?

Interesting chap, this governor, but still rather boring compared to one of the most interesting and entertaining Popes this blog contains. So it came a bit as a surprise to read Alexander VI Borgias name at the end of this article in today's Independent. Having said this, the article is still entertaining in itself as well as fit in unveiling the hypocrisy of self-proclaimed advocates of decent and proper living in the land of the chosen people. Fortunately, Alexander VI wasn't forced to resign otherwise we'd have missed a lot of entertaining history!

The Borgia Family on Flanders' stage

The Flemish theatre group NUNC prepare to stage a play about the Borgia Family in a Ghent, Belgium, flour mill. The group's thesis is that the Borgia clan has during the ages been a source of many legends. NUNC now feels comfortable to add their own. The Borgia clan is not so much seen as a historical entity, but more as an excuse to make secuctive theatre.

The play will open on Friday 9 May 2008 in the old flour mill in Ghent (junction of Chinastraat and Aziestraat) and starts at 8pm.
For reservations mail to: toneelgroep.nunc@telenet.be
Or book by telephone +32 (0)9 324 93 21. Tickets cost € 9.00; Concessions: € 7.00.

The Borgia Family will also play on 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 May at the same venue.

Het Geslacht Borgia in Gent op de planken

De Gentse toneelgroep NUNC is bezig met de voorbereiding van een theaterstuk over het geslacht Borgia.
Het uitgangspunt van de theatergroep is dat de Borgiaclan al eeuwenlang een bron van legendes is. Dat geeft de toneelgroep het recht om daar een eigen Borgia-legende aan toe te voegen. Het geslacht Borgia is volgens de groep geen brok geschiedenis maar verleidelijk muziektheater.

De premiere vindt plaats op vrijdag 9 mei 2008 in de oude meelfabriek te Gent (hoek Chinastraat /Aziestraat) aanvang 20.00 uur.

Mail voor reserveringen naar toneelgroep.nunc@telenet.be
Of bel +32 (0)9 324 93 21. Tickets: € 9,00, Reductietarief: €7,00.
Ook voorstellingen op 9, 10, 14, 15 , 16 en 17 mei

Edita Gruberova sings the stars from heaven as Lucrezia Borgia

The diva Edita Gruberova captivated the audience of the Liceu Theatre in Barcelona with her interpretation of Lucrezia Borgia. The 61-year old opera singer celebrated the fact that she made her debut in Barcelona 30 years ago.
The audience on 22 Febrary 2008 showed its apprediation by more than half an hour of shouts of 'bravo' and applaus and with flowers that were thrown on the stage.
The concertante format of the performance centered all attention on the performance of the singers Gruberova and her co-stars the tenor Josep Bros and the counter alto Ewa Podles.