Commedia dell'arte

Commedia dell'arte was an early type of professional theatre. It began in Italian theatre and became popular all over Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It was also called Italian comedy, commedia alla maschera, and commedia improvviso. This theatre used masked characters with special names, costumes, and roles.

Performances mixed planned parts with made-up comedy. Actors might follow a simple outline but could create new jokes and funny moments on the spot. One special part of these shows was called a lazzo. This was a funny or clever joke the actors knew well. Pantomime, or acting without words, was also common. This was especially true for a character named Arlecchino, who we now know as Harlequin.

The characters in commedia dell'arte showed common types of people. These included silly old men, tricky servants, soldiers who liked to show off, clever doctors, greedy old men, and loving couples. Famous groups of actors, such as I Gelosi, performed these plays in town squares and on platforms. Though it began in Italy, commedia dell'arte travelled across Europe, even to Moscow.

The tradition may have started from Carnival in Venice. Actors like Andrea Calmo created memorable characters. Over time, these characters began to wear masks. Masks became a key part of the performances. Different areas of Italy, such as Florence, Mantua, and Naples, developed their own styles. Figures like Pulcinella became famous. They even inspired puppet shows such as Punch and Judy in England.

History

See also: Theatre of Italy

Commedia dell'arte was a popular kind of theatre in Italy during the Mannerist period. It was known for funny, made-up performances with special characters who wore masks and costumes. Some people think it began in ancient Roman times, but no one really knows for sure. Early shows were performed outdoors by professional actors, unlike other plays that were performed indoors.

The first recorded shows were in Rome around 1551. Groups of actors, like the Gelosi, became famous for their performances. They performed in both Italy and France. By the mid-1600s, these groups had special characters and stories. In the 17th century, women began acting in these plays, which was new for Europe at the time.

As time passed, the style changed. In France, famous writers like Molière used ideas from commedia dell'arte in their own plays. The form continued to change across Europe, influencing other types of theatre like pantomime and Punch and Judy shows. During the time when Napoleon ruled Italy, commedia dell'arte was banned, but it returned to Venice much later in 1979.

Companies

Companies, or troupes, were groups of actors. Each actor had a special role to play. Many actors joined these groups even if they were not from a theatre background. Some were doctors, priests, or soldiers who loved theatre.

These troupes traveled around Europe. Sometimes they worked together if they had the same patron or performed in the same area. Members could also leave to start their own groups, like the famous Ganassa and Gelosi troupes.

Each troupe had its own special symbol, called an impresse. For example, the Gelosi used the two-headed face of the Roman god Janus to show their changing roles and connection to Carnival.

These companies usually had ten performers, both men and women. They traveled in big carts carrying everything they needed. They performed at fairs and celebrations, especially in wealthy towns. Sometimes important people invited them to perform on their land. The troupes liked to move around to keep their shows fresh and exciting.

Characters

Commedia dell'arte had many different characters, each with special costumes and masks. These characters were like types of people from Italy. Some were servants, like Arlecchino and Brighella, and others were wealthy old men, like Pantalone. There were also young lovers and brave captains. Each character had a mask that showed their personality. Sometimes, actors would pass these roles down to their families.

In the 17th century, characters like Pierrot and Harlequin became very popular in France and were changed to fit Parisian styles.

Costumes

Main article: Costumes in commedia dell'arte

Each character in commedia dell'arte has a special costume to help the audience know who they are.

Harlequin wore a jacket and pants with many colorful patches. Later, his outfit changed to blue, red, and green triangles, and then to diamond shapes. He also wore a special hat with a tail from an animal.

Il Dottore dressed like a scholar in all black, with a long coat and robe. Later, his look changed to include a big hat and a fancy jacket.

Il Capitano’s outfit made fun of military uniforms and changed depending on where and when the play was set.

Pantalone wore a tight jacket and pants, along with a big black coat called a zimarra.

Women characters, who often played servants or lovers, wore stylish clothes of the time and were made up but usually did not wear masks.

Subjects

The stories in Commedia dell'arte often included themes like love and old age. Many of these ideas came from old Roman plays by Plautus and Terence. Performers would act out plays for special events at royal courts. They used songs and dances. Some actors, called innamorati, were very good at singing special songs called madrigals.

People loved watching the actors. Famous performers included Isabella Andreini, and Tristano Martinelli, the first great Harlequin. Actors used jokes and funny actions, called lazzi and concetti. They also made up funny moments called burle on the spot.

The plays were made up as they went along. Actors could change what they said to make jokes about real life. The characters wore special costumes and masks. They used props like a baton called a slapstick. These characters included early versions of the modern clown, like Harlequin and the Zanni.

The usual story was about young lovers, the innamorati, who wanted to get married but were stopped by older people, the vecchi. The lovers would ask funny servant characters, the Zanni, for help. In the end, the lovers usually got to marry and everyone made up after any mistakes.

Influence in visual art

The art connected to commedia dell'arte is studied by many experts. Early paintings, especially from Fontainebleau, sometimes showed actors in playful ways.

Artists from Flanders helped shape this art. They worked in Italian studios and even took Italian names. One example is Lodewyk Toeput, who became known as Ludovico Pozzoserrato and created many famous works in Italy.

Many paintings and drawings of commedia dell'arte characters were made in studios and might not show real performances. For example, Callot’s etchings called the Balli di Sfessania are thought to be more imaginative than true scenes. In the 1700s, Watteau painted commedia characters with rich people in garden settings.

Famous artist Pablo Picasso used commedia dell'arte ideas in his 1921 painting called Three Musicians. He also made costumes for a ballet by Stravinsky named Pulcinella, which told stories using commedia characters. Today, small porcelain statues showing these characters can be very valuable.

Influence in performance art

The theatre of commedia dell'arte inspired many famous writers and artists. It influenced the work of Molière and helped shape early ballet. The story The Pied Piper of Hamelin features a character dressed like Harlequin, a commedia figure.

Music and dance were big parts of these shows. Actors often sang and played instruments. Many characters were known for their musical skills. Famous plays like The Tempest by William Shakespeare and The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni were inspired by commedia dell'arte characters. Operas by Mozart, such as Don Giovanni, and music by Robert Schumann like Carnaval also include these lively characters.

Today, these characters are still loved and performed, even in places like Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.