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Harlequin in Bohemia: Pantomime and Opéra Comique at Krumlov Castle under the Princes of Schwarzenberg

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2003

Abstract

In this article Otto G. Schindler provides an overview of research into the Castle Theatre at Český Krumlov, where theatrical entertainments are first recorded in the late seventeenth century, and adds some contributions of his own. After a short period of renewed activity in the rebuilt theatre inaugurated in 1768, benign neglect has preserved for us intact an authentic monument of late baroque theatre building. In the Castle Theatre, Hanswurst, traditionally the sole comic performer, formed part of a commedia-derived comic ensemble, and pantomimes regularly accompanied birthday celebrations until the late eighteenth century, when major travelling companies were visitors to the theatre, and opéra comique was also in vogue. Otto G. Schindler was University Assistant, Lecturer, and Head Librarian at the Drama Department of the University of Vienna, and has been a Research Fellow at the State University of New York. He was active in the Theatre Collection of the Austrian National Library and the Institute for Audience Research at the Austrian Academy of Science, where he is a member of its Commission for Cultural Studies and Theatre History. He has published extensively on Austrian and Central European theatre history with special reference to early modern theatre companies and the reception of commedia dell'arte. The festschrift Theatre am Hof und für das Volk (Vienna: Boehlau, 2002) was recently published in his honour.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press

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