The Messina director Walter Manfrè has died: he had created the Teatro della Persona

In the night the famous director and playwright from Messina Walter Manfre. Known and loved nationally, Manfrè has left an indelible mark on the artistic panorama of our country. Initially known as a brilliant actor, he then embarked on a career as a director, directing some of the greatest stars of Italian theatre, including Paola Borboni and Pupella Maggio.

But Manfrè's contribution goes beyond the direction of actors and shows: with fervent passion he worked to take theater away from traditional patterns. He was the mentor of an innovative idea, the “Theater of the Person”, which promoted an intense emotional connection between performer and audience. Among his most celebrated works is his figure “The Confession”, capable of exciting and involving the audience in every performance.

First an actor and then definitely a prose director. During his career he has directed the most important Italian actors of our time on stage (Raf Vallone, Paola Borboni, Pupella Maggio, Nando Gazzolo, Warner Bentivegna, Carlo delle Piane, Paola Quattrini, Paola Pitagora, Giuseppe Pambieri, Massimo Venturiello, Sergio Rubini) He worked in the most prestigious theaters of our country: Eliseo, Argentina, Valle, Piccolo of Milan, Rossetti of Trieste, Biondo of Palermo, Teatro Antico of Taormina, Stabile of Genoa, Greek Theater of Syracuse. Abroad Solis Theater (Montevideo ) Maipo (Buenos Aires) Rond Point (Paris)

Having been rooted in Comiso for some time, Manfrè founded and directed the International Theater Center with dedication, contributing to the diffusion of theatrical culture also in the local context. Recently, in the month of October, he masterfully curated the theatrical recital of Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece “Rigoletto”.

Through social media, his son Manuel he wanted to commemorate his father with touching words: “No one will ever be able to erase our love. Have a safe journey, dad, you will be with me forever”. Also daughter Serena wanted to pay homage to his father: “Walter says goodbye to everyone. He passed away last night. He spoke for up to 20 minutes before closing his eyes. Him, as always.”