La Calandria Commedie del Cinquecento

by Bernardo Dovizi

"La Calandria" by Bernardo Dovizi da Bibbiena is a comedy written in 1513. Based on classical sources, this Italian Renaissance play follows twin siblings separated at age six during a Turkish invasion. Years later, both twins arrive in Rome—each disguised as the other. Lidio pursues a married woman named Fulvia, while Santilla faces an arranged marriage. Through mistaken identities and domestic deceptions involving Fulvia's foolish husband Calandro, the comedy spirals toward chaos before the twins' eventual reunion.