Music therapy and theatre therapy in dialogue: Relationship and treatment tools
Silvia Sini, Isabella Maurizio
The ancient theatre is characterized by the presence of music, dance, acting at the same time, to make the representation complete. All of these, according to Greek philosopher Aristotele, pursues the same aim: the purification of human beings by negative emotions, such as fear, by the catharsis, word used to indicate this specific process. The catharsis is made by the mediation of actors during the performance, between the theatrical work and the audience. It is possible to state that the ancient theatre is the very first form of theatre therapy, built on a continue dialogue with music. Nowadays, arts are considered therapeutic instruments, as demonstrated by music therapy, that aims at favoring the establishment of relationships in which the music therapists use technical, cultural and human skills, and the users are available and open to meet the other and to be put in dialogue with him. Thus, theatre and music are, since ancient times, two sides of the same coin: different arts, but similar in favoring the individual well-being.
Keywords
Music, theatre, therapy, Greek tragedy.