Stock Characters
This Commedia stock character is vain, melodramatic, unmasked, and uses exaggerated movement
Who is/are Flavio/Isabella/Innamorati/Lovers?
This Italian stage designer and engineer, nicknamed the "Great Wizard," perfected the pole-and-chariot system and the rotating stage
Who is Giacomo Torelli?
Romantic form that centers around the idyllic life of shepherds, people residing outside of court in the countryside, and/or mythical creatures.
What is a Pastoral?
An interest in the ancient "rediscovered" classics, insisting on purity of genres and the unities of time, place, and action
What are Neoclassical ideals?
This Commedia stock character wears a colorful patchwork outfit, acts like a clown, is acrobatic, and has monkey-like movement
Who is Arlecchino/Harlequin?
This Italian author, referenced in a Taylor Swift song, argued in his book "The Prince" that a ruler must do whatever is necessary for the greater good, even if it borders on unethical. This was a significant change from the religious themes of medieval times.
Who is Machiavelli?
The quality of appearing “true to life” or “real”
What is Versimilitude?
Dialogue that is sung; unlike the aria, which is a solo song accompanied by the orchestra
What is a recitative?
This Commedia stock character wears a hooked-nose mask, wears a money pouch, is often dressed in all red, and leads with the forehead?
Who is Pantalone?
Composer who was probably the most dominant force in early Italian opera and heavily influenced the work of his contemporaries
Who is Claudio Monteverdi?
Double-layered wooden sword that claps together for humorous effect used by zanni characters, especially Arlecchino
What is Slapstick?
The great rebirth of art, culture, literature and learning in Europe, beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century
What is the renaissance?
This Commedia stock character is acrobatic, witty, musical wears bright colors/patterns, and occasionally dons a mask
Who is Columbina?
The great theatre architect, painter, and designer who compiled his theories into a book that influenced European theatre for the next 100 years
A focus on man’s beliefs and potential, rather than medieval liturgical drama which focused on God’s relationship with man
What is Humanism?
An arch that acts as a picture frame through which the audience can view the show, and also hides stage mechanisms and special effects
What is Proscenium or Proscenium Arch?
This Commedia stock character has a squeaky voice, is violent towards other characters, often wears white, loose-fitting costumes, and has chicken-like movement
Who is Punch/Pulcinella?
This important touring theatre company performed for the highest social circles of Italy and France. This member of the company, who married the troupe's leader, was best known for her acting ability and had a Commedia character named after her
Who is I Gelosi and Isabella Andreini?
The appearance of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface; for example, trees in the forefront of a painting appearing to be larger than the ones in the back in order to give the illusion of distance
What is Perspective or Perspective Painting?
Repeated comic bits in Commedia that audiences could expect to see each time they attended a troupe's performance
What is lazzi?