Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte: Flaminio Scala's Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative [Paperback]

Flaminio Scala (Author), Henry F. Salerno (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1990

The first English translation of the only truly comprehensive collection of plot summaries used by one of the most celebrated Commedia dell'Arte troupes that toured Europe during the High Renaissance. This authentic document is an invaluable source book for students of theater history, enabling them to examine actual working plots and compare them with the works of the great dramatists they influenced (i.e. Shakespeare, Moliere).

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Italian (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 413 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (February 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879101334
• ISBN-13: 978-0879101336
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential resource for the Commedia dell'Arte student, May 10, 2000

By 

Jack Scrimshaw "Cap'n" (Atlanta GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte: Flaminio Scala's Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative (Paperback)

"Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte" is a repository of Commedia dell'Arte scenarios (or "canovacci") written by Flaminio Scala in 1611, if my memory is correct. For the serious Commedia student, this resource is essential. It was only released in hardcover, then went out of print. The fact that it is now available again as a budget friendly paperback attests to the growing interest in this form of historical theatre.

The work is translations of the Italian scenarios written by Scala for his troupe, with little commentary or historical information. There's plenty of historical information on staging, masks, costume and what-have-you in other Commedia resources. Buy them at Amazon as well. This book is simply the scenarios, well organized and concise. Want to study scenarios as Commedia actors did in period? This is THE book.

Another personal suggestion: Mel Gordon's "Lazzi" book is another Commedia resource on my "must have" list. Again, it's a listing of comic routines from period Commedia companies, as captured in the companies' surviving zimbaldones. Buy both these excellently priced books and save on the shipping. If you're buying one of these books, you'll want the other, for similar reasons.

4.0 out of 5 stars Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte: Flaminio Scala's Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative, August 8, 2009

By 

Miriam Escurriola Peña (Barcelona, Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte: Flaminio Scala's Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative (Paperback)

the book arrived in a very good condition and it is a very important material of my work as an actress and teacher related to Commedia dell'Arte. Thanks!
Miriam Escurriola Peña
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