11659 - Scenography Theory and History (1)

Learning outcomes

To be able to understand well the scenograhic arrangements, their material composition

To know the main lines of evolution from the Greek theater to the 17th Century.

In particular, also to know the political and cultural uses of the scenes and of the festivals in the courts of the Renaissance

Course contents

 The "invention" of the Renaissance scene.

A proposal of iconological reading of an icon of the theatre's history which was attributed to Sebastiano Serlio: St. Mark’s Place and the clock.

The course offers a propaedeutic part which introduces the problems of theatrical scenography, both the visual aspect and the material side, and will provide essential elements for an understanding of the Renaissance feast, a point of reference for theatrical shows and used in a very conscious way for political and communicative purposes.

In particular the image in question will be studied, which is now assigned to a comedy put on during Milano's feasts in honour of prince Philip, son of Charles V, Spain's king.

Readings/Bibliography

The principal texts are:

Anne SURGERS, Scenografie del teatro occidentale, a c. di G. Di Palma e E. Tamburini, Roma, Bulzoni, 2002 and Ines ALIVERTI, Una scena di città attribuita a Sebastiano Serlio. Breve saggio di iconologia teatrale (il saggio sarà pubblicato nel prossimo ottobre 2008 per ETS di Pisa).

Pictures of the icons studied will be available for purchase that the end of the course at the copisteria Harpo, in via Barberia 9 (Dispense: testi e immagini).

Those who do not attend the course may choose one from the following texts: :

• Roy STRONG, Arte e potere. Le feste del Rinascimento 1450-1650, Il Saggiatore, Milano 1987;

• Franco RUFFINI, Teatri prima del teatro, Roma, Bulzoni, 1983;

• Franco RUFFINI, Commedia e festa nel Rinascimento. La Calandria alla corte di Urbino, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1986

• Fabrizio CRUCIANI (a cura di), Il Teatro del Campidoglio e le feste romane del 1513, Milano, Il Polifilo, 1969

• S. SINISI- I. INNAMORATI, Storia del teatro. Lo spazio scenico dai greci alle avanguardie, Milano, Paravia B. Mondadori, 2003.

Teaching methods

Images will be projected in class. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

Assessment methods

Beside the traditional examination during the final test, the possibility of taking partial tests during the course will be also provided. Failing the test will be the result of an insufficient knowledge of the main kinds of organization of the theatre space.

Teaching tools

During the course, images will be projected or handed out.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Tamburini