Subject
Italian drama -- 20th century Books
Best books
Gabriele D'Annunzio
La fiaccola sotto il moggio
"La fiaccola sotto il moggio" by Gabriele D'Annunzio is a tragedy written in 1905. Set in an Abruzzo castle during the 1820s, the play follows the disintegration of the noble Di Sangro family. Count Tibaldo has abandoned his wife Monica and daughter Gigliola for Angizia, a cunning sorceress who manipulates the household with poison and dark arts. As family members succumb to physical ailments and moral corruption, the disinherited Gigliola discovers terrible secrets and plots revenge, unaware that fate has already sealed everyone's doom in this tale of ancient curses and tragic destiny.
F. T. Marinetti
Teatro Futurista Sintetico
"Teatro Futurista Sintetico" by F. T. Marinetti, Bruno Corra, and Emilio Settimelli is a theatrical manifesto written in the early 20th century. This work outlines the principles and ideologies of Futurism as they relate to theater, emphasizing brevity and dynamism in performances. The text critiques traditional theater for being overly long and static, and it advocates for a new synthetic approach that captures the fast-paced and fragmented nature of modern life, ultimately aiming to rejuvenate the art of theater. The opening of "Teatro Futurista Sintetico" introduces the authors’ revolutionary vision for the stage, highlighting their desire to create a Futurist theater that is direct, energetic, and stripped of excessive dialogue and elaboration. The authors assert that most of the Italian populace prefers the theater over literature, thus affirming the necessity for a more engaging performance style. They declare their intention to fuse various elements and realities to create simultaneous scenes that reflect the chaotic essence of contemporary life. The initial scenes hinted at in the text showcase contrasting elements of bourgeois domesticity and the vibrant world outside, indicating a blend of narratives meant to provoke thought and emotion in the audience.
Edoardo Calandra
La straniera : $b Novelle e teatro
"La straniera: Novelle e teatro" by Edoardo Calandra is a historical collection of stories written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of love, conflict, and the human condition through the lens of historical figures and events, focusing specifically on characters in the Piedmont region of Italy. The opening of the novella sets the stage during the reign of a nobleman named Pagano "lo Casto" in the picturesque region of Auriate, showcasing his character as a valiant yet impulsive lord. After a dramatic encounter in which he defeats a mysterious knight in battle, Pagano captures a beautiful lady, known only as "the stranger." As he becomes infatuated with her, the narrative delves into his conflicting emotions and the consequences of his actions, hinting at themes of desire, honor, and fate. The interplay of love, strife, and the supernatural begins to unfold, suggesting a complex interplay of character motivations and societal expectations as the story progresses.
Ercole Luigi Morselli
La prigione; Acqua sul fuoco
"La prigione; Acqua sul fuoco" by Ercole Luigi Morselli is a drama in three acts written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the grand, historical setting of Siena, featuring characters from the aristocratic Della Lizza family, including Romano and Luisa, as well as their children and various societal figures. The work examines themes of family, societal pressures, and the evolution of traditions amidst personal and economic struggles. At the start of this drama, the reader is introduced to a lavish salon where a gathering of guests enjoys chocolate and conversation. The atmosphere is lively, marked by playful banter and flirtation among the younger characters, such as Gaia and Piero, as well as the daring interactions between Selvaggia and Roberto. As Romano, Luisa’s husband, hides from his family’s accumulating debts and personal turmoil, there is an undercurrent of tension surrounding the family's financial wellbeing, evidenced through discussions amongst the guests about their social standing and obligations. The opening intricately sets the stage for a complex interplay of personal and familial dynamics, suggesting deeper themes of sacrifice and societal expectations that will likely unfold in the following acts.
Luigi Pirandello
Tutto per bene: Commedia in 3 atti
"Tutto per bene: Commedia in 3 atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in 1906 and first performed in 1920. Martino Lori is a widower devoted to his late wife's memory, though his daughter Palma despises him. Everyone believes Lori knowingly tolerates a shameful secret about his family for personal gain. When a confrontation forces the truth into light, Lori discovers he has been deceived his entire life by those closest to him.
Luigi Pirandello
L'uomo, la bestia e la virtù
"L'uomo, la bestia e la virtù" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in the early 20th century. The work delves into themes of morality, social norms, and human behavior, revolving around the complexities of love and betrayal. The main characters include the virtuous Mrs. Perella, who finds herself ensnared in a morally ambiguous situation with her lover, Mr. Paolino, and her husband, Captain Perella, who represents the more base instincts of humanity. The opening of the play introduces us to a modest room inhabited by Mr. Paolino, a private teacher, and showcases a bustling household atmosphere. We meet key players including Rosaria, a servant, and Totò, a pharmacist, who display lively banter indicating a close-knit yet chaotic environment. As the scene unfolds, Paolino's fiery temperament and his philosophical musings on civilization highlight the tension between the expectations of society and the inherent nature of people. The arrival of the future events is foreshadowed with the mention of Captain Perella, who will soon return, bringing with him the potential for significant turmoil in the narrative.
Ercole Luigi Morselli
Orione
"Orione" by Ercole Luigi Morselli is a tragic play written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the central character, Orione, as various characters interact in a setting steeped in myth and drama, reflecting themes of love, identity, and destiny against the backdrop of ancient Greek lore. The opening of the play introduces us to Ireo, the father of Orione, and Trochilo, his servant, as they discuss the sorrow Ireo feels for his absent son. They reminisce about Orione’s childhood, revealing a mixture of parental love and foreboding, as Ireo fears for Orione's reckless pursuits of glory and adventure. Mirrina, a character with aspirations of her own, enters, discussing omens and dreams that may influence her fate. Matusio, a noted soothsayer, is also introduced, hinting at future prophecies tied to Orione’s adventures. As the characters interact, the tension builds around Orione's long-awaited return and the implications of his heroic deeds and relationships, setting the stage for an epic exploration of personal and mythological paths interweaving through the narrative.
Annie Vivanti
Le bocche inutili: dramma in tre atti
"Le bocche inutili: dramma in tre atti" by Annie Vivanti is a dramatic play written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the context of war, focusing on the lives of characters such as Giorgio, the son of a commander, and Lady Mary, his mother, who confront the emotional and ethical challenges brought about by the impact of conflict and sacrifice. The play explores themes of duty, maternal love, and the human cost of war, revealing the profound struggles faced by those directly affected by the events. The opening of the drama sets the stage for a family interaction marked by emotional farewells as Giorgio prepares to leave for military service. Tensions arise as Lady Mary expresses her sorrow and reluctance to let her son go, revealing the bond of love and concern within this family, particularly the tension between a mother’s protective instincts and a son’s sense of duty. The father, Comandante De Bels, presents a stoic front, urging his family to accept the necessity of sacrifice for the greater good. This poignant beginning establishes both character dynamics and the overarching turmoil of war, laying a foundation for the exploration of the themes of duty, love, and the stark realities of survival.
Luigi Pirandello
Lumìe di Sicilia: Commedia in un atto
"Lumìe di Sicilia: Commedia in un atto" by Luigi Pirandello is a one-act play written in 1910. Micuccio Bonavino has sacrificed everything to support Teresina's singing career, remembering her as the simple Sicilian girl who loved him. When he arrives unannounced at her luxurious home in northern Italy, he discovers how fame and time have transformed her beyond recognition. The play explores how memories crystallize while people change, and how love can die in one heart while still burning in another.
Luigi Pirandello
Come prima meglio di prima: Commedia in tre atti
"Come prima meglio di prima: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a theatrical comedy written in 1919. When Fulvia Gelli attempts suicide after a life of excess, her abandoned husband Silvio—now a celebrated surgeon—saves her life. They reunite and she becomes pregnant, but her contempt for him puzzles onlookers at a Tuscan pension. A confrontation with Silvio and her former lover reveals a dark truth about their past that transforms understanding of their twisted relationship and forces devastating choices about family and deception.
Luigi Pirandello
L'innesto: Commedia in tre atti
"L'innesto: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in 1917. After a brutal assault in a Roman park leaves Laura Banti pregnant, she attempts to transform the trauma through love, hoping to share the coming child with her husband Giorgio. But he feels only revulsion toward the unborn child, a symbol of violation. As Laura refuses to abort and prepares to leave, Giorgio must confront what he stands to lose. Can an act of violence be redeemed through the power of maternal love?
Gerolamo Rovetta
Romanticismo: dramma in 4 atti
"Romanticismo: dramma in 4 atti" by Gerolamo Rovetta is a dramatic play likely written in the early 20th century. The work appears to explore themes of love, patriotism, and the social and political struggles of Italy during the tumultuous period of the Risorgimento. The opening introduces several key characters, including Count Vitaliano Lamberti, Giuditta Ansperti, and various others involved in the drama, setting the stage for their intertwining fates against a backdrop of national strife. The beginning of the drama establishes a poignant atmosphere as it reveals Giuditta's deep turmoil over her husband, Tito Ansperti, who has been arrested and faces dire consequences. The scene opens in a modest pharmacy, where Giuditta grapples with despair, while interactions with the character Faustino hint at the broader societal challenges affecting their lives during the mid-19th century. Count Lamberti's entrance suggests a pivotal connection to Giuditta's struggle, as he not only represents wealth and status but also embodies the conflict between personal desires and nationalistic fervor, setting the tone for the unfolding drama filled with emotional and political stakes.
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