Aspects of the Commedia Dell' Arte

The works of Goldini and Gozzi are among the great international classical plays. For an understanding of The Servant of Two Masters or The Love of Three Oranges, knowledge of commedia dell' arte style is a prerequisite. This film presents stock commedia characters, focusing on the "Maschere," the mask characters. A world master of commedia style, Giovanni Poli, demonstrates the authentic voice quality and characteristic gestures of the characters Truffaldino and Pantalone. The climax of this rare footage is a scene from Poli's production of Gozzi's The Green Bird.
14 minutes, color, sound