We post the map of italian masks (by pianetabambini.it):
The Commedia dell’arte (in this case “art“ means craft, skills) has very uncertain origins; One could say that it is a mixture between the farces, the Erudite theatre and the histrionic comedy. In fact it was also called “Buffonesca” or “histrionic” because it retained a strong connection with the Mimi Goliardici; But it was also called comedy “all’improvviso” or “a soggetto” because the actors, based on a written track, called “cloth/canovaccio”, built the spectacle that then, from time to time, recreated. It was also called “Comedy of Masks” because the actors, for having more grip on the public, thought they were worth of masks already known by the people through the spectacles of the square. And finally it was also called “Italian comedy” thanks to the companies that, in 1600, with their tours they made known all over Europe.
The first company was formed in Padua in 1545 and was constituted only by men and only in 1570, when it formed the first real company ordered, the women were admitted on stage. It was a scandalous novelty. The first Venetian woman–actress was “Vincenza Armani“.
The basic characters found within the various companies were:
The two old men: trousers, also called the Magnificent, Venetian (always accompanied by his servant, the fangs that later will be called Harlequin) and the Doctor, Bolognese.
The two “Zanni”: Brighella and Harlequin, also called Mezzettino, Truffaldino and Mattaccino
The captain, direct descendant of the “Miles gloriousus” of Plautus;
The amorous (who never carried the mask);
The first Dame;
the second dame;
The maid (which did not always wear the mask).
As you can see from the map the characters from Venice are Columbine, trousers and Rosaura (the Lady)
Colombina:
In the “Servant of two Masters” of Carlo Goldoni, Columbine takes the name of Emerald and the author emphasizes the character Dversificandolo in a definitive way from that of the Commedia dell’arte. It is always lively and cunning, but there are more emphasis on honesty, aggression and intelligence.
Colombina is one of the most popular masks by the public.
Pantalone:
Until the end of the seventeenth century the costume he wore did not change: he wore trousers (it seems that the garment derives from the name of the mask) very adherent, long and red, a red jacket with a waist belt to which were hanging a bag with Money and a dagger. He wore a Zimarra (male surcoat) sometimes lined with ermine, of red color that will become, over time, black, in sign of mourning, to remember the loss of the dominion of Negroponte by the Serenissima. He was wearing black tiles with the tip upturned. His headdresses were varied but we remember him with a red or black wool cap. The mask had a long nose and hooked, accentuated eyebrows; He carried the moustache and the pointed beard and, at once, upturned and long hair. He was hoary.
In the reform Goldoniana Pantaloon definitely loses the mask and becomes a character that embodies all the characteristics of the bourgeoisie of the Serenissima underlining both the pros and the flaws. The pants are a man who has deep affection and a kind of generosity even if no one seems avvedersene.
We recall Cesco Baseggio, one of the most beloved actors of the Venetians, great interpreter, especially in his incomparable “Sior Todaro Brontolon” by Goldoni.
