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

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

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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).

Language Notes
Text: English, Italian (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions (February 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879101334
• ISBN-13: 978-0879101336
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #307,020 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 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

"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.