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What are some modern day versions of the Italian 'commedia dell'arte' stock characters?
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∙ 12y ago
Improvisation
In spite of its outwardly anarchic spirit, thecommedia dell'arte was a highly disciplined art requiring both virtuosity and a strong sense of ensemble playing. The unique talent of commedia players was to improvise comedy around a pre-established scenario. Responding to each other, or to audience reaction, the actors made use of the lazzi(special rehearsed routines that could be inserted into the plays at convenient points to heighten the comedy), musical numbers, and impromptu dialogue to vary the happenings on stage.
Physical Theater
Masks forced actors to project their characters' emotions through the body. Leaps, tumbles, stock gags (burle and lazzi), obscene gestures and slapstick antics were incorporated into their acts.
Stock Characters
The actors of the commedia represented fixed social types, tipi fissi, for example, foolish old men, devious servants, or military officers full of false bravado. Characters such as Pantalone, the miserly Venetian merchant; Dottore Gratiano, the pedant from Bologna; or Arlecchino, the mischievous servant from Bergamo, began as satires on Italian "types" and became the archetypes of many of the favorite characters of 17th- and 18th-century European theatre.
- Arlecchino was the most famous. He was an acrobat and a wit, childlike and amorous. He wore a cat-like mask and motley colored clothes and carried a bat or wooden sword.
- Brighella, Arlecchino's crony, was more roguish and sophisticated, a cowardly villain who would do anything for money.
- Il Capitano (the captain) was a caricature of the professional soldier-bold, swaggering, and cowardly.
- Il Dottore (the doctor) was a caricature of learning-pompous and fraudulent.
- Pantalone was a caricature of the Venetian merchant, rich and retired, mean and miserly, with a young wife or an adventurous daughter.
- Pedrolino was a white-faced, moon-struck dreamer and the forerunner of today's clown.
- Pulcinella, as seen in the English Punch and Judy shows, was a dwarfish humpback with a crooked nose, the cruel bachelor who chased pretty girls.
- Scarramuccia, dressed in black and carrying a pointed sword, was the Robin Hood of his day.
- The handsome Inamorato (the lover) went by many names. He wore no mask and had to be eloquent in order to speak the love declamations.
- The Inamorata was his female counterpart; Isabella Andreini was the most famous. Her servant, usually called Columbina, was the beloved of Harlequin. Witty, bright, and given to intrigue, she developed into such characters as Harlequine and Pierrette.
- La Ruffiana was an old woman, either the mother or a village gossip, who thwarted the lovers.
- Cantarina and Ballerina often took part in the comedy, but for the most part their job was to sing, dance, or play music.
There were many other minor characters, some of which were associated with a particular region of Italy such as Peppe Nappa (Sicily), Gianduia (Turin), Stenterello(Tuscany), Rugantino (Rome), and Meneghino (Milan).
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∙ 12y ago
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What is Commedia dell'Arte characterized by?
Commedia dell'Arte is a form of Italian theatre which is characterized by improvised dialogue by a collection of fun stock characters. It is also known as a "comedy of craft".
What country does Commedia Dell'Arte come from?
As you might guess from this Italian description, the Comedia originated in Italy but spread throughout Europe
When did Commedia dell'arte begin and give a description of it?
The translation from Italian to English is "comedy of art". Commedia Dell'arte is a form of theatre that begun in 1560 in Italy, Europe. Italian theatre historians, such as Roberto Tessari and Ferdinando Taviani, have claimed that Commedia developed as a response to the political and economic crisis of the 16th century, and, as a consequence, became the first entirely professional form of theatre and is commonly referred to as the origin of comedy. Sometimes performers were referred to as "mountebanks" by Italians (as an honor). Isabella Andreini and Dionisio Martinelli, who who performers before Kings and nobility, became international stars due to past experience of Commedia Dell'arte.
Where did commedia dell arte begin?
Commedia dell'arte began in Italy in the mid-16th century, and existed in various forms through the mid-18th century. There was also a resurgence in France in the mid-19th century.
When did Romeo and Juliet live?
They didn't. They are fictional characters in a play by William Shakespeare, and in a number of Italian stories before that.In the play, they live in Verona, and Romeo gets banished to Mantua.
What is Commedia dell'Arte characterized by?
Commedia dell'Arte is a form of Italian theatre which is characterized by improvised dialogue by a collection of fun stock characters. It is also known as a "comedy of craft".
Who is an Italian Well known author?
Dante Alighieri. He wrote the famous "Divina Commedia"
What is 'characters' when translated from English to Italian?
The word 'characters' in Italian is:'Personaggi'
Which form of theater did the character 'Pulcinella' come from?
Pulcinella was a character that came from the Italian theatre Commedia dell Arte.
Who was pierrot's lover in commedia dell'arte?
Pierrot's lover in commedia dell'arte is usually identified as Colombina. Colombina is a clever servant girl who is often portrayed as Pierrot's romantic interest in the traditional Italian theater genre.
What name is given to a commedia dell'arte character who wore a diamond patterned costume?
The name you are looking for would be Arlecchino. Although, in traditional Commedia he does not wear this particular costume at all. He is just another servant like all the others. The mask of Arlecchino wears the diamond suit in the tradition of the Italian Carnevale. In Commedia it all started after Commedia dell'Arte emigrated in France and with Goldoni.
What country does Commedia Dell'Arte come from?
As you might guess from this Italian description, the Comedia originated in Italy but spread throughout Europe
When did Commedia dell'arte begin and give a description of it?
The translation from Italian to English is "comedy of art". Commedia Dell'arte is a form of theatre that begun in 1560 in Italy, Europe. Italian theatre historians, such as Roberto Tessari and Ferdinando Taviani, have claimed that Commedia developed as a response to the political and economic crisis of the 16th century, and, as a consequence, became the first entirely professional form of theatre and is commonly referred to as the origin of comedy. Sometimes performers were referred to as "mountebanks" by Italians (as an honor). Isabella Andreini and Dionisio Martinelli, who who performers before Kings and nobility, became international stars due to past experience of Commedia Dell'arte.
What was the Italian improvisatory actor's theatre called?
You might be thinking about the Commedia dell'Arte. But your definition sounds more like Grand Guignol (but that was French).
What are some facts about Commedia Dell arte?
men had to play female parts It started in the 14th century It was also called "the Italian comedy"
What has the author Ireneo Sanesi written?
Ireneo Sanesi has written: 'La commedia' -- subject(s): Italian drama (Comedy), History and criticism
Who is Arlecchino Harlequin?
Arlecchino Harlequin is a fictional character who appears in Commedia dellâ??arte Italian plays. Harlequin, is thought to be a descendant of the devil.
