OVERVIEW

The course gives students the basic instruments to understand the institutional aspects, the economic context, the cultural policies and the management practices that characterise live performances in Italy (with particular reference to spoken theatre).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objective of the course is to make students aware of the main institutional, economic-financial and organisational dynamics that have characterised the production and distribution of live performance over the centuries. Moreover, it aims to broaden consideration of the contemporary theatre situation and highlight the dynamic balance that characterises theatrical companies today, hovering between the will to stay faithful to a rich tradition of customs, knowledge and consolidated professionalism and the need to redefine their operation in order to live up to the ongoing processes of institutional and management changes and the demanding challenges of competing for financing. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

For 6 CFU students:

• Capacity to understand and analyse theatrical events according to an economic-organisational perspective;
• Knowledge of the main productive and distributive set-up in Italy (with regard also to their historical shaping);
• Understanding of the issues of economic sustainability of theatre enterprises;
• Basic knowledge of fund-raising strategies.

In addition, for 9 CFU students:

• Ability to write and to present a paper.
• Ability to take part in a scientific discussion.

PREREQUISITES

Although it is not obligatory, students are advised to have taken History of theatre and performing arts before attending to this course.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with slides (available on Aulaweb) during the first two modules. Active participation of the students during the third module: they will be required to research in the Guido Salvini Archive, to write a paper (other languages in addition to Italian are possible), to present it to the class. Subscription to Aulaweb is mandatory for all students.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu - Introduction

After a brief theoretical introduction, the first two modules will sketch the main outlines of the history of the organisation and economics of theatre from Italian Unity (1861) to nowadays. The analysis will focus on spoken theatre but there will also be comparative perspectives and reference to musical theatre.

Programme for students taking the course for 9 cfu - Guido Salvini. Theatre Direction and Organisation in 1920s and 1950s in Italy

The director, set designer and manager Guido Salvini will lead us through the crisis and transformation of theatre organisation in Italy in the first half of the 20th century. The third part will partially take place at the al Museo Biblioteca dell'Attore, where the artist’s archive is preserved. Active attendance will be required: students will carry out individual research on selected topics and will present a paper to the rest of the class.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

6 CFU

ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. Notes taken during the lessons and FREQ documents published on Aulaweb.
2. Mimma Gallina, Ri-Organizzare teatro. Produzione, distribuzione, gestione, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2016 (chapters 1, 9, 15, 19 only reading: no study)

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

1. NONFREQ documents published on Aulaweb.
2. Mimma Gallina, Ri-Organizzare teatro. Produzione, distribuzione, gestione, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2016 (the whole book is to be studied)
3. A book to be chosen between:
   • John Rosselli, L’impresario d’opera. Arte e affari nel teatro musicale italiano dell’Ottocento, Torino, EDT, 1985
   • Matteo Paoletti, Savona e la sua scena. Il Teatro Chiabrera tra Risorgimento e Unità (1853-1883), Quaderni Franzoniani, XX (2007) [2017]
   • Stefano Baia Curioni, Mercanti dell’opera. Storie di Casa Ricordi, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2011
   • Livia Cavaglieri, Trust teatrali e diritto d’autore (1894-1910). La tentazione del monopolio, con un’appendice di Matteo Paoletti, Corazzano, Titivillus, 2012.
   • Paolo Grassi, Il coraggio della responsabilità. Scritti per l’ «Avanti!» 1945-80, a cura di C. Fontana e V. Garavaglia, Milano, Skira, 2009

Bibliography for students not proficient in Italian language may be arranged individually.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LIVIA CAVAGLIERI (President)

ROBERTO CUPPONE

MATTEO PAOLETTI (Substitute)

VALERIA SCREPIS (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

30. September 2019

Class schedule

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVE PERFORMANCES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students will give an oral exam on the first and second module; during the third module they will present a paper to the class. The exam is only oral for not attending students.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

6 CFU:

- 1 question on each of the areas of study listed in the bibliography. Students are expected to be able to give a clear account of the subjects; to problematize studied issues; to argue with the teacher.

9 CFU:

- as above + paper to be presented to the class.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The following workshops are recommended:

• Allestimento del testo teatrale
• Laboratorio di lettura e produzione dello spettacolo operistico
• Laboratorio di teatro pratico
• Laboratorio di teatro sociale