B8697 - History and Historiography of Modern and Contemporary Music (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - acquires the methodological and critical foundations of theatre historiography relating to the history of theatre during the 20th and 21st centuries, placing them in the broader cultural and artistic framework. In terms of skills, this knowledge provides the student with: - analytical tools to be applied to the historical analysis and investigation of compositional processes, in the historical-critical and curatorial field of theatrical events.

Course contents

The institutional part begins with the birth of theatre studies in Europe, the United States and Italy, with an in-depth look at the cases of Theaterwissenschaft led by Max Hermann, the birth of the Enciclopedia dello Spettacolo, Mario Apollonio's theory of the dramaturgical ternary and the role of Bolognese theatre historiography.
The monographic part focuses on transnational historiographical issues of the Commedie dell'Arte between Nordic and Italian studies and their revival at the beginning of the 20th century (Arlecchinata, Petruška) and at the end of the millennium (Mistero Buffo). In addition, coreological studies will be addressed with a broad historical and methodological spectrum spanning philology, reconstruction, social sciences and re-enactment in order to identify useful tools for compositional analysis and the curation of complex theatrical events.

Readings/Bibliography

Examination programme for attending and non-attending students:

R. Ferraresi, La rifondazione degli studi teatrali in Italia dagli anni Sessanta al 1985, Torino, Accademia University Press, 2019

R. Ferraresi, Per una “storia delle storie” della nascita degli studi in danza nell’università italiana fra pratiche di disciplinizzazione e tendenza agli sconfinamenti, in «Mimesis Journal. Scritture della performance», 12, 2, 2023, pp. 17-41.

B. Holm, Harlequin, Holberg and the (in)visible Masks, in «Theatre Research International» 23, Oxford 1998, pp. 159-166.

B. Holm, Tre incontri fra Holberg e Fo sul ponte italo-danese, in S. Brunetti, A. Petrini e E. Randi (a cura di), Vi metto fra le mani il testo affinché ne possiate diventare voi gli autori, Pagina, Bari 2022, pp. 67-74.

B. Holm, Quasi per caso un anarchico. Dario Fo fra Arlecchino e avanguardia, in «Il Castello di Elsinore» 79, 2019, pp. 93-112.

E. Randi, La grande stagione del balletto russo. Fra Ottocento e Novecento: tradizione e avanguardia, Roma, Dino Audino, 2022, pp. 99-126.

Lecture notes and learning materials published on Virtuale.

Those who do not attend must submit a 10-page written report on a topic agreed in advance with the professor. This report must be submitted to the professor at least 7 days before the exam.

If students do not have specific knowledge of theatre history, it is strongly recommended that they study:

F. Acca, A. Alonge, S. Bellavia, E. Cervellati, R. Ferraresi, F. Perrelli, Storie di spettacoli. Uno sguardo contemporaneo, Novara, Utet, 2023.

T. Megale, Paradigmi del comico. Studi sulla Commedia dell'Arte, Roma, Tab edizioni, 2023.

F. Perrelli, Il teatro scandinavo, Roma, Carocci, 2024.

Teaching methods

Lectures are face-to-face and consist of phases of explanations, reading of textual materials, analysis of iconographic and audiovisual materials, questions, discussion and group work. Meetings with artists and scholars are also planned. Attending rehearsals and/or performances in city theatres or participating in workshops is an integral part of the course.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral test with open-ended questions on the topics covered in class and on the recommended reading list.

Active participation in classroom discussion and working groups is an element of evaluation for those who attend.

Those who do not attend must submit a 10-page written report on a topic agreed in advance with the professor. This report must be submitted to the professor at least 7 days before the exam.

The student's achievement of an organic view of the topics covered in class together with their critical use, a good command of expression and specific language will be evaluated with grades of excellence.
A mnemonic knowledge of the subject matter together with synthesis and analysis skills articulated in correct but not always appropriate language will lead to fair grades.
Formative gaps and/or inappropriate language - albeit in the context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to grades that do not exceed sufficiency.
Formative gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered during the course will be negatively graded.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Slides, iconographic and audiovisual materials, web sources, cooperative learning, questionnaire, learning materials on Virtuale, TEAMS platform, meetings with artists and scholars.

Office hours

See the website of Rita Maria Fabris