Who founded commedia dell arte?



The first date certainly associated with an Italian commedia dell’arte troupe is 1545. The most famous early company was the Gelosi, headed by Francesco Andreini and his wife, Isabella; the Gelosi performed from 1568 to 1604.

What started commedia dell arte?

The first Commedia performances happened around 1551 when “unorganized strolling players, acrobats, street entertainers started to coalesce.” I Gelosi was the first incorporated theatre troupe of its kind that employed professional actors.

When was commedia founded?

Commedia dell’Arte, which translates as “professional theatre,” began in Italy in the early 16th Century and quickly spread throughout Europe, creating a lasting influence on Shakespeare, Molière, opera, vaudeville, contemporary musical theatre, television sit-coms, and improv comedy.

What writers were influenced by commedia dell arte?





Shakespeare and sad clowns

Its influence is especially strong in Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and As You Like It. Most profound, perhaps, is the influence of commedia on the tragicomedy form that Shakespeare mastered.

What is commedia dell’arte known for?

Improvisation. In spite of its outwardly anarchic spirit, commedia dell’arte was a highly disciplined art requiring both virtuosity and a strong sense of ensemble playing. The unique talent of commedia actors was to improvise comedy around a pre-established scenario.

Who was the audience of commedia dell arte?

However, in early modern Italy, when Commedia Dell’Arte was first emerging, it was very popular among both the upper class and lower class citizens who would gather together in piazzas and market squares around the country to watch and be entertained.



What 3 groups did commedia characters belong to?



Commedia characters are fixed types who fall into one of three categories:

  • The Servants (eg: Arlecchino or Columbina)
  • The Masters (eg: Pantalone)
  • The Lovers (eg: Isabella and Flavio )

Who were the commedia dell’arte characters?

Some of the better known commedia dell’arte characters are Pierrot and Pierrette, Pantalone, Gianduja, Il Dottore, Brighella, Il Capitano, Colombina, the innamorati, Pedrolino, Pulcinella, Arlecchino, Sandrone, Scaramuccia (also known as Scaramouche), La Signora, and Tartaglia.

How were commedia dell’arte troupes Organised?

How were troupe organised? Troupes are organised by character with one actor playing one character as long as they are able until they would pass the role onto someone else in the troupe or family. Lovers: The scenes evolved around these young and attractive characters. The audience would be on the lovers’ sides.