Культура України (Nov 2019)
The Circus Art in Lviv in the 1880s (From August Krembser to Albert Schumann)
Abstract
The purpose of the article is to explore the features of the development of Circus Art and to determine the place of Circus performances in the cultural space of Lviv in the 1880s. Research methodology. The historical, biographical and comparative methods have been applied to achieve the purpose. Results. The Circus performances at the ethnic territories of the Western Ukraine at the time that they were a part of the Habsburg Empire have never been a subject of the scientific research and analysis. The offered article, focused on the period of the 1880s in the city of Lemberg, is the following step in the author’s cycle of articles that are concerned with the representation of Circus Arts in Bukovyna and Eastern Galicia in the late 19th century — the early 20th century. In the article, the Circus performances and the performances of circus artists at the stages of the theaters and the variety venues in Lviv in the 1880s are described in the chronological sequence, based on the materials of the periodical press of the studied period. The author analyzes the repertoire of the Circuses, describes the performances of the most significant performers and determines the features of the development of the Circus Art presented in the Galician capital in the described period. Novelty. An attempt is made to determine the place of the Circus Art in the cultural space of Lviv and its perception by the public. The practical significance. The offered article contains unknown facts of the Circus History of Ukraine; and the results of the research would become a valuable contribution to both culturology and art studies. Conclusions. In spite of the fact that in the second half of the 19th century the Circus has been a threatening competitor for the Polish Theatre in Galicia, it has obtained a significant place in the cultural space of Lviv; and it has been the leading attraction in the Entertainment industry. The Circus genres and artists’ skills have been fast and successfully developing in the late 19th century. Some of the leading artists have performed at the Circus arenas and the theatrical stages in Lviv. Some of the leading European Circus troupes have been visiting Lviv during the 1880s.
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