Così lontani, così vicini

Abstract

The making of a first critical and commented edition of the theatrical works of the Rozzi congregation – based on the corpus of the congregation’s chief exponent, Salvestro Cartaio, called Il Fumoso – makes it possible to start exploring a so far neglected aspect of country-life plays. Indeed, it provides an innovative and essential contribution to an understanding of the ‘geography and history’ of 15th-century Italian theatre, especially its main production areas (namely, old Padua and Siena). The present study offers some preliminary reflections on the relationship between Ruzante and Il Fumoso: these playwrights are vastly different in terms of their socio-cultural background and artistic stature; yet, they are also very similar with regard to the innovativeness and complexity of their outlook on the ‘otherness’ of the countryside.

Keywords

• 15th-century Italian theatre. Angelo Beolco called ‘Ruzante’. Rozzi congregation. Salvestro Cartaio called ‘Fumoso’