Intermezzo

:For Intermezzo, the opera by Richard Strauss premiered in 1924: see Intermezzo (opera). For the films starring Ingrid Bergman, see Intermezzo (1936 movie (Swedish language) and the English language remake Intermezzo (1939 movie); see InterMezzo (file system) for the file system.

Opera intermezzo

The intermezzo, in the 18th century, was a comic operatic interlude inserted between acts or scenes of an opera seria. These intermezzi could be substantial and complete works themselves, though they were shorter than the opera seria which enclosed them; typically they provided comic relief and dramatic contrast to the tone of the bigger opera around them, and often they used one or more of the stock characters from the opera or from the commedia dell'arte. Often they were of a burlesque nature, and characterized by slapstick comedy, disguises, dialect, and ribaldry. The most famous of all intermezzi from the period is Pergolesi's La serva padrona, which was an opera buffa that after the death of Pergolesi kicked off the Querelle des buffons.

Related Topics:
18th century - Opera seria - Commedia dell'arte - Slapstick - Pergolesi - La serva padrona - Opera buffa - Querelle des buffons

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In some cases the intermezzo repertory spread more quickly than did the opera seria itself; the singers were often renowned, the comic effects were popular, and intermezzi were relatively easy to produce and stage. In the 1730s the style spread around Europe, and some cities--for example Moscow--recorded visits and performances by troupes performing intermezzi years before any actual opera seria were done.

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The intermezzo was the single most important outside operatic influence in Paris in the mid-18th century, and helped create an entire new repertory of opera in France (see opera comique).

Related Topics:
Paris - France - Opera comique

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