French Neoclassical Theatre Terminology
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French Neoclassical Theatre Terminology

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Questions and Answers

What was the Pleiade?

  • An actress famous for neoclassical roles
  • A group of 16th century French Renaissance poets and playwrights (correct)
  • A type of French play
  • A group of 17th century painters

    • What was ballet de cour?

    Seeds of opera consisting of dramatic plot, song, dance, and spectacle.

    What was the Confrerie de la Passion?

    An association of actors used for the presentation of religious plays.

    What was the Hotel de Bourgogne?

    <p>The first permanent theatre structure in Europe post-Rome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Cardinal Richelieu?

    <p>Chief minister/advisor to Louis XIII.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Alexandre Hardy?

    <p>The first professional dramatist in France.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Teatre du Marais refer to?

    <p>Name of several theaters and theatrical troupes in Paris.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Pierre Corneille?

    <p>A French tragedian considered one of the three great 17th century French dramatists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'Le Cid Controversy'?

    <p>A five-act French tragicomedy written by Pierre Corneille.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Academie Francaise?

    <p>A council established to oversee matters of the French language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Jean-Baptiste Lully?

    <p>The founder of French Opera.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Jean Racine known for?

    <p>Considered the peak of French Tragedy, closely followed the neoclassical ideal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Moliere?

    <p>The greatest comic writer of the time, also known as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Armande Bejart?

    <p>A French actress and the wife of Moliere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Comedie Francais?

    <p>The first national theatre company in France.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Montdory?

    <p>The first outstanding French actor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Montfleury refer to?

    <p>The stage name of Zacharie Jacob, a French actor and playwright.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Floridor?

    <p>A French actor who took over Teatre de Marais after Montdory retired.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe the layout of French theatre.

    <p>Characterized by a raked stage and pit, small stages, and Italian conventions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Interregnum?

    <p>The period between the execution of Charles I and the arrival of Charles II.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Commonwealth refer to?

    <p>The period when England was ruled without a King.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Oliver Cromwell?

    <p>Named Lord Protector, he ruled England with an iron fist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    French Renaissance and Neoclassical Theatre

    • Pleiade: A collective of 16th-century French poets and playwrights aiming to elevate French literature, inspired by classical works and led by Pierre de Ronsard.

    • Ballet de cour: Early form of opera combining dramatic plots, song, dance, and elaborate spectacle, showcasing the integration of various artistic elements.

    • Confrerie de la Passion: Actors' association monopolized the performance of religious plays in Paris, granted exclusive rights by Charles VI, excluding others from organizing plays.

    • Hotel de Bourgogne: Recognized as the first permanent theater structure in Europe following the fall of Rome, marking a significant development in theatrical venues.

    Key Figures and Contributions

    • Cardinal Richelieu: Chief minister to the young Louis XIII, effectively controlled France until the king matured; instrumental in introducing Italian scenic innovations through Tomaso Francini.

    • Alexandre Hardy: Pioneering professional dramatist who wrote around 500 plays, of which 34 survive; known for engaging popular audiences and often disregarding neoclassical unities, focusing on comedies and pastoral themes.

    • Pierre Corneille: Prominent French tragedian, celebrated as one of the major dramatists of the 17th century alongside Moliere and Racine; credited with solidifying neoclassical ideals through his works.

    • Jean-Baptiste Lully: Founder of French opera, who gained a monopoly on musical performances and assumed control of Moliere's theatre, influencing the direction of theatrical music.

    • Jean Racine: Acclaimed for epitomizing French tragedy, Racine's works frequently draw from classical sources, with "Phédre" being one of his notable contributions closely aligned with neoclassical ideals.

    • Moliere: The greatest comic playwright of his time, originally named Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, Moliere created a successful theatre company and is known for his strong character development and plots rooted in neoclassical principles.

    • Armande Bejart: Noted as a leading French actress of the 17th century, she was also the wife of Moliere, contributing to the theatrical landscape of the era.

    • Comedie Francais: The first national theatre company, granted a monopoly on spoken word plays in French, while opera maintained a monopoly on musical performances.

    Theatrical Innovations and Layout

    • Montdory: Recognized as the first exceptional French actor, setting the standard for dramatic performance in theatre.

    • Montfleury: The pseudonym of Zacharie Jacob, a notable actor and playwright who influenced the development of 17th-century French theatre.

    • Floridor: A significant French actor known for his versatility in comedy and tragedy, who assumed leadership of the Teatre de Marais after Montdory's retirement.

    • French Theatre layout: Characterized by raked stages and pits, small performances spaces, and the use of Italian scenic conventions such as wings, chariots, pulls, stock scenery, and borders.

    Historical Context

    • The Interregnum (1642-1660): The period following the execution of Charles I, leading to the rise of Charles II and the restoration of the monarchy, significantly affecting theatre and arts.

    • The Commonwealth: The era during which England was governed without a king, where a committee appointed by Parliament managed the country’s affairs, resulting in the suppression of theatrical performances.

    • Oliver Cromwell: Lord Protector who ruled England with strict Puritan values, enforcing the closure of theatres and significantly curtailing public artistic expression during his regime.

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    Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts in French Neoclassical theatre. This quiz covers important groups, forms, and associations from the 16th century. Perfect for literature enthusiasts and students of theatre history.

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