The course aims to provide with an advanced integrated knowledge both of the many-sided practice of Late
Ancient World and of the birth of the Modern theatre in the 16th century, between courts, academies and business.
2) ESSAYS:
- Siro FERRONE, Attori mercanti corsari. La Commedia dell’Arte in Europa tra Cinque e Seicento (1993), Torino, Einaudi, 20112, pp. 52-91 (cap. II. Le stanze del teatro).
- Stefano MAZZONI, ‘Edipo tiranno’ all’Olimpico di Vicenza (1585), in «Dionysus ex machina», IV (2013), pp. 280-301 (http://dionysusexmachina.it/?cmd=articolo&id=133).
- Stefano MAZZONI, Nuove considerazioni sull’iconologia del teatro di Sabbioneta, in «Biblioteca teatrale», n.s. (2011), nn. 97-98, pp. 99-136.
- Stefano MAZZONI, «Col solito stipendio di Sua Altezza». Appunti sui Gonzaga e la Commedia dell’Arte, in «Commedia dell’Arte. Annuario Internazionale», III (2010), pp. 3-18.
- Stefano MAZZONI, «La gente de esta çiudad es la más vana y loca del mundo». Siena Carlo V i Medici e lo spettacolo accademico (1530-1703), in C. Bino, S. Mamone, S. Mazzoni, C. Pagnini, Forme dello spettacolo in Europa tra Medioevo e Antico regime, edit by S. Mamone, Perugia, Morlacchi, 2018, pp. 69-141: 69-107.
- Ludovico ZORZI, Figurazione pittorica e figurazione teatrale, in Storia dell’arte italiana, vol. I. Questioni e metodi, Torino, Einaudi, 1979, pp. 419-462.
Learning Objectives
The course aims to provide students with an advanced historical-philological knowledge of spectacle in the Late Antique Word through the thought of St. Augustine, as well as on the birth of the Modern theater in Italia. The lessons aim to develop the key transferable skills required student’s understanding of the plural sources (literary, archival, iconographic, websites). The main objective is to achieve individual analytical skills related to the the topics investigated. The course includes learning exercises.
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of the historical framework of reference.
COMPETENCES:
Improvement of the critical judgement of the sources.
SKILLS:
Reconstruct and interpret – according to a contextual view – thought of St. Augustine, as well as on the birth of the modern theater in Italia. Develop the learning skills, which are essential, in order to carry on the studies critically and autonomously.
Prerequisites
Bachelor. Good knowledge of the Italian language.
Teaching Methods
Face-to-face lectures: 36 hours. History of culture and history of spectacle by means of a comparative analysis of plural sources and multiple historiographical approaches. Contextual and multilinear approach to the topics studied. Pictures and videos will integrate the course. The course includes learning exercises. The website Moodle will be used.
Further information
Course attendance is strongly recommended. There will be oral and/or written tests ‘in itinere’ and a final oral test. If necessary, foreign students could agree upon a special program.
Type of Assessment
Oral test. The student will be examined on the course contents and on the required
readings.
At the exam, students should be able to:
1) Know the contents of the topics of the face-to-face lessons;
2) Understand the main theoretical categories of the Western performing arts;
3) Express properly their own opinions;
4) Discuss and judge critically the topics and the bibliography of the course.
Course program
Title of the course:
The history of performing arts from Late Ancient Age to the birth of the Modern theatre.
Topics:
1. History of spectacle: matters and methods.
2. The Fathers of the Church and spectacle.
3. Performers.
4. Two capitals of spectacle in the 15th century: Ferrara and Venice.
5. Vitruvius and the literature: from Alberti to Barbaro.
6. The Roman workshop: Raffaello, Baldassarre Peruzzi and the birth of the ‘scena di città’.
7. From ‘luogo teatrale’ to ‘edificio teatrale’ in Veneto and Po valley area: Falconetto, Serlio, Palladio, Scamozzi.
7.1. Ruzante’s dramaturgy. 7.2. The Vicentine performance of ‘Edipo tiranno’.
7.3. The iconology of the theatre of Sabbioneta.
7.4 The ‘Comici dell’Arte’ in the theatre of Sabbioneta.
8. The literature: Serlio and De’ Sommi.
9. The Gonzaga court in Mantua.
10. The business of theatre: the ‘stanze’ and the dramaturgy of the Commedia dell’Arte. 11. The case of Siena: the Accademia degli Intronati, Carlo V and Cosimo I de 'Medici.