Scopa

Inspired by being a sister myself, and hearing stories that have been passed down from my large Italian family, I wanted to write two main characters that represent sisters throughout my Italian lineage, and how I imagine they have had to part ways. In films, of course bar pieces like Little Women, there are so few representations of sisterhood. I wanted to see a relationship between two sisters that was not based on rivalry and jealously - although this is part of a sibling dynamic - there is so much more between sisters. Love, familiarity, comfort, upset, grief, just to name a few are emotions you share together. As you grow up, you see your future in your older sister, and the older sister sees their childhood in their younger sibling, and this is something you share between your sister and no one else. Moreover, the title of this piece - Scopa - is a card game I grew up with and played with my Nonna, Nonno and my sister. It is a game played when happy, after a large meal, or when words won’t do, and you just sit in each other’s company, saying what needs to be said by saying nothing.