La Calandria (play)
Template:New unreviewed article La Calandria is a comedy of the Italian Renaissance in five acts written by Cardinal Bernardo Dovizi da Bibbiena in 1513. It premiered at the court of Urbino.
Characters
- Fessenio - servant to Lidio. Rescued Lidio as a child when their city was sacked by the Turks.
- Polinico - a tutor to Lidio. Appears in the first scene of the play.
- Lidio - an adolescent. 18 years old. Separated from his twin sister, Santilla, at age 6. In love with Fulvia, a married woman.
- Calandro - Husband to Fulvia. Often described by other characters in the play as stupid.
- Samia - handmaiden to Fulivia. She acts as the messenger for all of Fulvia's wishes.
- Ruffo - a necromancer
- Santilla- Disguised as a boy ever since she was 6 years old. Twin sister to Lidio whose identity she has taken.
- Fannio - servant to Santilla. Rescued Santilla as a child when their city was sacked by the Turks.
- Fulvia - the wife of Calandro. Desperately in love with Lidio.
- A whore
- A porter
- A customs officer
About the author
Bernardo Dovizi da Bibbiena was a cardinal and comedy writer. Following an education in Tuscany Dovizi traveled to Medici Court in Florence. Here he became a close companion to Giovanni Dei Medici. He would later champion for the Medici family and take part in a plot to bring them back to Florence during their exile. He was a nobleman described as having a quick wit, pleasant and sharp. Dovici died in Rome on November 9, 1520 presumably poisoned.[1]
La Calandria and the Court
At the time La Calandria was written the court held the majority of political power in society. So for theater this meant that it only existed in a space secured by the court. The courts designated the space set aside for these pleasures and entertainments that theatre provided. Presenting La Calandria, the prince gained even more political power through public entertainments sponsored by him. [2]
Performance history
La Calandria was first performed on February 6, 1513 in Urbino during carnival. This was also two weeks before death of Pope Julius II and the ascent of the Medici's to power on the papal throne. It was presented in the Urbino throne room and prepared by Castiglione, the duke of Novellara. Castiglione is also responsible for the prologue of the script. Scenes were created by a student of Raphael (a close friend of Dovizi), Girolamo Genga. The play proved to be a success and would be continued to be performed on several occasions. The Vatican produced it in December 1514 and January 1515; in Mantua in 1520 and in 1532; in Venice in 1521 and 1522; in Lyon in 1548; and in Munich in 1569.[3]
References
- ^ Morrone, Gaetana; Puppa, Paolo. Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781579583903.
- ^ D'Amico, Jack (1991-01-01). "Drama and the Court in "La Calandria"". Theatre Journal. 43 (1): 93–106. doi:10.2307/3207952.
- ^ Morrone, Gaetana; Puppa, Paolo. Encyclopedia of Italian Literary Studies. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781579583903.