Befriending the Commedia Dell'arte of Flaminio Scala by Natalie Crohn Schmitt

The genre is widely viewed as superficial. It is an asset to any scholar of Italian studies, Renaissance studies, theatre, performance, the commedia dell'arte, and many other areas of research and interest.' - Joanne Granata Quaderni d'italianistica 36: 01:2015 'Professor Schmitt's beautiful and incisively detailed book goes a long way to celebrate their inspirational genius.' - Peter Jordan Theatre Research International, 41:2:2016 The commedia dell'arte was one of the most important theatrical movements in early modern Europe. This book is a delight to read.' - Gloria Allaire Sixteenth Century Studies vol 47:02:2016 'This book offers a fresh perspective on not only the four specific scenarios of focus, but on the opus of Flaminio Scala and, by extension, on the commedia dell'arte. 'Like Seneca's bees, Professor Schmitt has collected nectar from different species of flowers and skillfully blended it into a most digestible form of honey.

Publisher: University of Toronto Press ISBN: 9781442648999 Number of pages: 344 Weight: 660 g Dimensions: 236 x 161 x 29 mm MEDIA REVIEWS The result is a new perspective on the commedia dell'arte that illuminates the style's full richness. She combines this research with her insights drawn from studying with contemporary commedia dell'arte performers and from directing a production of one of Scala's scenarios. In the book, Schmitt makes use of her intensive research into the social and cultural history of sixteenth-century Italy and the aesthetic principles of the period. By reconstructing the commedia dell'arte scenarios published by troupe manager Flaminio Scala (1547-1624), Schmitt demonstrates that in its Golden Age the commedia dell'arte relied as much on craftsmanship as on improvisation and that Scala's scenarios are a treasure trove of social commentary on early modern daily life in Italy. With Befriending the Commedia dell'Arte of Flaminio Scala, Natalie Crohn Schmitt demolishes that assumption. Because of its stock characters, improvised dialogue, and extravagant theatricalism, the commedia dell'arte is often assumed to be a superficial comic style. The most important theatrical movement in sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century Europe, the commedia dell'arte has inspired playwrights, artists, and musicians including Moliere, Dario Fo, Picasso, and Stravinsky.

Befriending the Commedia Dell'arte of Flaminio Scala by Natalie Crohn Schmitt