THE RELIGIOUS THEATRE OF GIOVANNI BATTISTA ANDREINI: L’ADAMO AND TWO MADDALENA

Abstract

The article is devoted to rare and very original dramatic works on religious subjects, created in the first half of the 17th century, and belonging to the tradition of the Italian commedia dell’arte. L’Adamo (1613), La Maddalena (1617) and La Maddalena lasciva e penitente (1652), the religious dramas of Giovanni Battista Andreini (1576–1654), outstanding comedian dell’arte, leader of the company of “Fedeli”, playwright and poet, are considered here. Analyzing the biblical drama Adam, published but not played by the author, reveals the characteristic features of Andreini’s religious drama and its connection with the stage practice of the era. We have presented the experience of theatrical reconstruction of the musical-dramatic “sacred performance” La Maddalena, staged by Andreini with the company of “Fedeli” in 1617 in Mantua, and the late drama La Maddalena lasciva e penitente, staged with the participation of the author in Milan in 1652. In addition, the article reveals the connection of Andreini’s religious dramas with heated debates about the theater of the first half of the 17th century, in which he took an active part as an author of theoretical works in defense of the theater and as a practitioner, defending the right of a woman to play on stage.
Plays of G. B. Andreini ware not translated into Russian and practically not studied in the Russian theatre history. The article is based mainly on the works of Italian specialists of the late 20th — early 21st centuries.