Commedia dell’ArteCommedia dell’ArteThe Servant of Two The Servant of Two

MastersMastersLara AndersonLara Anderson

Benjamin BankertBenjamin BankertAmos BaynesAmos BaynesJocelyn GreenJocelyn GreenSydney HuntSydney HuntJustin KatzJustin Katz

Kelly SmootKelly SmootAlex WestverAlex WestverShoua YangShoua Yang

Italian RenaissanceItalian Renaissance

1414thth-15-15thth Centuries beginning in Northern Italy Centuries beginning in Northern Italy Reawakened interest in Greek and Roman Reawakened interest in Greek and Roman

thought, literature, and artthought, literature, and art Early 16Early 16thth Century – classic plays were written Century – classic plays were written

in Italianin Italian The plays became the standard at festivals The plays became the standard at festivals

which were organized and produced by the which were organized and produced by the community to celebrate weddings, royal birth, community to celebrate weddings, royal birth, and visits of emissaries from other states.and visits of emissaries from other states.

The influence of religion was fading and a new The influence of religion was fading and a new age of humanism and self-interest arose. age of humanism and self-interest arose.

Commedia dell’ArteCommedia dell’Arte

Commedia dell’Arte combined professional and Commedia dell’Arte combined professional and public theaterpublic theater

First historically recorded in the 1560sFirst historically recorded in the 1560s Most popular between 1575 and 1650, but Most popular between 1575 and 1650, but

continued into the late 18continued into the late 18thth Century Century Venice was the center of Commedia dell’ArteVenice was the center of Commedia dell’Arte Origin?Origin?

Mimes and other entertainers in Roman timesMimes and other entertainers in Roman times Improvisations based on the Roman comedies of Plautus Improvisations based on the Roman comedies of Plautus

and Terenceand Terence By 1600s, Commedia dell’Arte troupes were By 1600s, Commedia dell’Arte troupes were

performing in France, Spain, and other European performing in France, Spain, and other European countries.countries.

Essentials of Commedia Essentials of Commedia dell’Artedell’Arte

The actor = heartThe actor = heartPerformances were flexible and Performances were flexible and

adaptable.adaptable.Script provided a Script provided a scenarioscenario

(summarizing the situations, (summarizing the situations, complications, and outcomes) and complications, and outcomes) and the actors provided the dialogue and the actors provided the dialogue and actions.actions.

Audience and category Audience and category

The audience’s reactions The audience’s reactions influenced each performance.influenced each performance.

Categories of Commedia dell’ArteCategories of Commedia dell’Arte

TragedyTragedyMelodramaMelodramaMusicalMusicalComedy – most Comedy – most popular!popular!

Performing Commedia Performing Commedia dell’Artedell’Arte

Actors within a troupe played the Actors within a troupe played the same roles and improvised the same roles and improvised the “script” for each performance.“script” for each performance.

Improvisation was a distinctive Improvisation was a distinctive feature of Commedia dell’Arte.feature of Commedia dell’Arte.

Actors often reused pieces of Actors often reused pieces of comedic business (comedic business (lazzilazzi).).Ex. Sack lazzi, fight lazzi, and lazzi of Ex. Sack lazzi, fight lazzi, and lazzi of

fearfear

Actors Actors Best known feature of Commedia Best known feature of Commedia

dell’Artedell’ArteMales and females performedMales and females performed

Troupes traveled Troupes traveled frequently and frequently and contained an contained an average of 10 to average of 10 to 12 members, 12 members, while working while working under a sharing under a sharing plan.plan.

Stock Characters Stock Characters

ThreeThree CategoriesCategories The Lovers (2 sets) – most realisticThe Lovers (2 sets) – most realisticThe Masters (3) – reoccur most oftenThe Masters (3) – reoccur most oftenThe Servants (The Servants (zannizanni)-)-

most varied, mostly malemost varied, mostly male

Arlecchino =(Harlequin) Arlecchino =(Harlequin) the most popularthe most popular

PantalonePantalone

Fixed CostumeFixed CostumeRed vest, breeches, Red vest, breeches,

and stockingsand stockingsAnkle-length black Ankle-length black

coatcoatBrown mask with a Brown mask with a

large hooked noselarge hooked noseScraggly gray beardScraggly gray beard

Dr. LombardiDr. Lombardi

Fixed CostumeFixed CostumeAcademic CapAcademic CapPopular gown of Popular gown of

the time periodthe time periodHalf-MaskHalf-Mask

CostumesCostumes

Half Masks for most charactersHalf Masks for most charactersLatest fashions for lovers (no masks)Latest fashions for lovers (no masks)Fixed costumes for some charactersFixed costumes for some characters

Popular Men’s FashionPopular Men’s Fashion

Bob-wigsBob-wigsFrock CoatsFrock CoatsElaborate cuffs, Elaborate cuffs,

fronts, and fronts, and cravats!!!cravats!!!Silks, Gold and Silks, Gold and

Silver Thread, LaceSilver Thread, Lace

The Latest in Men’s FashionThe Latest in Men’s Fashion Bob-wigsBob-wigs Frock CoatsFrock Coats Elaborate cuffs, Elaborate cuffs,

fronts and cravats!!!fronts and cravats!!! Silks, Gold and Silver Silks, Gold and Silver

Thread, LaceThread, Lace

Popular Women’s FashionPopular Women’s Fashion

Small caps and tight Small caps and tight curls in haircurls in hair

Large circular hoop Large circular hoop skirtsskirts

Gowns heavily Gowns heavily embellished like men’s embellished like men’s clothing!!!clothing!!!

Popular Fashions for LoversPopular Fashions for Lovers((but no masksbut no masks))

History of Italian TheaterHistory of Italian Theater

Italian festivals Italian festivals drew on classical drew on classical sources [Such as sources [Such as Vitruvius (Roman Vitruvius (Roman architect of the architect of the 1st century B.C.)]1st century B.C.)]

Vitruvius Vitruvius described how a described how a theater is laid theater is laid out and the out and the settings for settings for tragedy, comedy, tragedy, comedy, and pastoral.and pastoral.

History Continued History Continued

Italians created the theater structure Italians created the theater structure and scenic practices that would and scenic practices that would dominate the European theater into dominate the European theater into the 20the 20thth Century. Century.

No permanent theater spaces; Used No permanent theater spaces; Used temporary performances spaces in temporary performances spaces in large halls.large halls.

Pictorial Stage Pictorial Stage 1500s – Italian Renaissance moved away from 1500s – Italian Renaissance moved away from

the formal and architectural stage to the the formal and architectural stage to the representational and pictorial stage.representational and pictorial stage.

With perspective, each place was represented With perspective, each place was represented in 3 dimensions, as seen from a fixed eye in 3 dimensions, as seen from a fixed eye point (much like looking at a painting).point (much like looking at a painting).

1600s - Pictorial presentation would become 1600s - Pictorial presentation would become the standard for stage scenery throughout the standard for stage scenery throughout Europe.Europe.

Perspective DrawingPerspective Drawing Eventually accepted everywhere, 3 scenic Eventually accepted everywhere, 3 scenic

elements: side wings, backdrops, and elements: side wings, backdrops, and overhead borders. The floor was raked overhead borders. The floor was raked upward toward the back (upstage, downstage) upward toward the back (upstage, downstage) and a proscenium arch was used to frame the and a proscenium arch was used to frame the stage.stage.

Shifted scenery during interludes (Intermizzi) Shifted scenery during interludes (Intermizzi) during performances.during performances.Led to the birth of Italian Opera (1590s)Led to the birth of Italian Opera (1590s)Opera popular because it combined drama, Opera popular because it combined drama,

music, dance, spectacle, and special effects.music, dance, spectacle, and special effects.

Italian Theaters Italian Theaters & Opera Houses& Opera Houses

Oldest surviving proscenium theater – Oldest surviving proscenium theater – Teatro Farnese, Parma, Italy built in Teatro Farnese, Parma, Italy built in 16181618

5 levels of spectators5 levels of spectators3 Divisions – separate different social 3 Divisions – separate different social

classes classes Box: upper-classBox: upper-classPit (today’s orchestra)Pit (today’s orchestra)Gallery: lower/working-classGallery: lower/working-class

Music and LightingMusic and Lighting Stringed InstrumentsStringed Instruments

Guitar, Violin, Mandolin Guitar, Violin, Mandolin (most popular)(most popular)

Candles and oil-lampsCandles and oil-lamps Footlights and Footlights and

sidelights were sidelights were developed in 1628 by developed in 1628 by Joseph FurstenbachJoseph Furstenbach

Nicoli Sabbatini Nicoli Sabbatini developed a system of developed a system of dimming lights in 1638dimming lights in 1638

1818thth Century Music Halls Century Music Halls The music in Italy advanced to a great extent The music in Italy advanced to a great extent

during this century. It is the time in which the great during this century. It is the time in which the great opera houses in Naples, the San Carlo Theater and opera houses in Naples, the San Carlo Theater and in Milano, La Scala were built. in Milano, La Scala were built.

These light-hearted musical plays began to be These light-hearted musical plays began to be offered as an alternative to weightier offered as an alternative to weightier opera seriaopera seria (17th-century Italian opera based on classical (17th-century Italian opera based on classical mythology). mythology).

The San Carlo Theater, Naples La Scala, Milano

Carlo Osvaldo GoldoniCarlo Osvaldo Goldoni Born in Venice, Italy in 1707Born in Venice, Italy in 1707 Italy’s most famous comic dramatistItaly’s most famous comic dramatist Began writing scenarios for commedia companies Began writing scenarios for commedia companies

in Venice around 1734 because he felt the in Venice around 1734 because he felt the current situations were trite and vulgarcurrent situations were trite and vulgar

Many of his plays are still performed todayMany of his plays are still performed today As Goldoni wrote more plays, they became less As Goldoni wrote more plays, they became less

improvisational and more scriptedimprovisational and more scripted

Goldoni TimelineGoldoni Timeline Carlo Osvaldo GoldoniCarlo Osvaldo Goldoni (1707) Born in Venice (1707) Born in Venice (1723) Studied at Collegio Ghislieri in Pavia (1723) Studied at Collegio Ghislieri in Pavia (1725) Wrote Libellias poem and forced to leave Pavia, (1725) Wrote Libellias poem and forced to leave Pavia,

studied at Udine and Modena studied at Udine and Modena (1731) father died (1731) father died (1732) to avoid marriage left Venice for Milan then Verona, (1732) to avoid marriage left Venice for Milan then Verona,

Married Nicoletta Conio Married Nicoletta Conio (1738) Produced first real comedy (1738) Produced first real comedy L'uomoL'uomo di mondodi mondo ("The ("The

Man of the World")Man of the World") (1757) Engaged in dispute with Carlo Gozzi (1757) Engaged in dispute with Carlo Gozzi (1761) Moved to Paris (1761) Moved to Paris (1771) (1771) Le Bourru bienfaisantLe Bourru bienfaisant for Louis XVI and Marie for Louis XVI and Marie

AntoinetteAntoinette (1793) died in France(1793) died in France

Carlos Controversy Carlos Controversy

Advocated for the abandonment of masks Advocated for the abandonment of masks because they handicapped the actors by hiding because they handicapped the actors by hiding their facial expressionstheir facial expressions

With the help of Carlo Gozzi (Goldoni’s rival), the With the help of Carlo Gozzi (Goldoni’s rival), the art of Commedia dell’Arte diminished, although art of Commedia dell’Arte diminished, although many scenarios have survived.many scenarios have survived.

Goldoni died in 1793 in FranceGoldoni died in 1793 in France

Legacy Legacy As Goldoni wrote more plays, As Goldoni wrote more plays,

they became less they became less improvisational and more improvisational and more scriptedscripted

Advocated for the Advocated for the abandonment of masks abandonment of masks because they handicapped the because they handicapped the actors by hiding their facial actors by hiding their facial expressionsexpressions

With the help of Carlo Gozzi With the help of Carlo Gozzi (Goldoni’s rival), the art of (Goldoni’s rival), the art of Commedia dell’Arte Commedia dell’Arte diminished, although many diminished, although many scenarios have survived.scenarios have survived.

Goldoni died in 1793 in FranceGoldoni died in 1793 in France

The Servant of Two MastersThe Servant of Two Masters

Written in 1745 for a Venetian troupeWritten in 1745 for a Venetian troupeLess exaggerated than typical Less exaggerated than typical

Commedia dell’Arte playsCommedia dell’Arte playsMiddle class characters were treated Middle class characters were treated

with respect and women were seen with respect and women were seen as more sensible than men.as more sensible than men.

Lacks coarse humor and sexual Lacks coarse humor and sexual innuendos of previous commediainnuendos of previous commedia

Plots and ThemesPlots and Themes

DisguiseDisguiseCoincidenceCoincidenceMisunderstandingsMisunderstandingsWithholding InformationWithholding InformationReversal of Social RolesReversal of Social RolesSelf InterestSelf Interest

CharactersCharacters

MastersMasters Pantalone, Venetian Merchant Pantalone, Venetian Merchant Dr. LombardiDr. Lombardi

LoversLovers Clarice and SilvioClarice and Silvio Beatrice (“Federigo”) Rasponi and Florindo Beatrice (“Federigo”) Rasponi and Florindo

AretusiAretusi ServantsServants

TruffaldinoTruffaldino Smeraldina, maidservant of ClariceSmeraldina, maidservant of Clarice Brighella, the innkeeperBrighella, the innkeeper

TruffaldinoTruffaldino

Most varied costume Most varied costume in productionsin productions

Red, green, blue Red, green, blue diamond-shaped diamond-shaped patternpattern

Rakish hatRakish hat Black half-maskBlack half-mask Slapstick – used to Slapstick – used to

enhance violence and enhance violence and comedic performancecomedic performance

SceneryScenery

Three Acts with 10 scenesThree Acts with 10 scenes Only requires five settingsOnly requires five settings

A room in Pantalone’s homeA room in Pantalone’s home The Courtyard of Pantalone’s homeThe Courtyard of Pantalone’s home The Street in front of Brighella’s innThe Street in front of Brighella’s inn A room inside the InnA room inside the Inn A streetA street

Little or no furnitureLittle or no furniture A sign depicting the entrance of Brighella’s A sign depicting the entrance of Brighella’s

InnInn

Summary of the PlaySummary of the Play Clarice dei Bisognosi was engaged to marry Federigo RasponiClarice dei Bisognosi was engaged to marry Federigo Rasponi But Federigo dies (accident with a sword very sad) But Federigo dies (accident with a sword very sad) So Clarice is engaged to Silvio Lombardi (nice guy) So Clarice is engaged to Silvio Lombardi (nice guy) (The thought dead) Federigo shows up at Clarice’s house(The thought dead) Federigo shows up at Clarice’s house Federigo is actually his sister Beatrice Rasponi (in drag disguise) Federigo is actually his sister Beatrice Rasponi (in drag disguise) Then Florindo (Beatrice’s lover) shows up looking for Beatrice Then Florindo (Beatrice’s lover) shows up looking for Beatrice Confusion is caused by the servant Truffaldino (the guy in Confusion is caused by the servant Truffaldino (the guy in

diamond pattern) diamond pattern) He is the servant to both Federigo (actually Beatrice) and FlorindoHe is the servant to both Federigo (actually Beatrice) and Florindo Truffaldino fed the masters and lovers misinformation that causes Truffaldino fed the masters and lovers misinformation that causes

confusion confusion Clarice and Silvio almost break up (Silvio wants to kill Florindo) Clarice and Silvio almost break up (Silvio wants to kill Florindo) Truffaldino and Beatrice reveal their true selves Truffaldino and Beatrice reveal their true selves The revelation leads to a happy ending for everyone (even The revelation leads to a happy ending for everyone (even

Truffaldino is getting married!)Truffaldino is getting married!)

Fun and Interesting FactsFun and Interesting Facts

Goldoni was “finacially challenged” (a.k.a. Goldoni was “finacially challenged” (a.k.a. poor) due to his extravagant spending on poor) due to his extravagant spending on luxuries.luxuries.

Goldoni was an notoriously honest man; Goldoni was an notoriously honest man; playing fair even when he knew his playing fair even when he knew his comerades were cheating (which also led comerades were cheating (which also led to his finacial difficulties).to his finacial difficulties).

Theaters during Goldoni’s time featured Theaters during Goldoni’s time featured oil-lamps that not only produced a great oil-lamps that not only produced a great deal of smoke, but also gave off a foul deal of smoke, but also gave off a foul odor due to the burning of low quality oil.odor due to the burning of low quality oil.

Any questions?Any questions?