Tartaglia Commedia Del Arte Character

The Tartaglia character has a minor role in the Commedia Del Arte .He is known to be near sighted and with a terrible stutter , hence his name which is a translation from Spanish meaning "to stutter".Most of the time the Tartaglia is put in the class of the elderly group and has a profession like bailiff,lawyer,chemist or notary, this leaves his character in the void between servant class and noble class.

the costume of this Commedia Del Arte character is an over sized cloak, large felt hat and boots, long sword and huge moustache , and a cardboard nose.

the famous porky pig cartoon character is known to have been based on this Commedia Del Arte character. 

to see our selection of Italian Commedia Del Arte masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

A Carnival in Venice

A Carnival in Venice or (Carnevale Di Venezia) is the annual festival held forty days before Easter. Carnaval stated as a time for celebration and expression throughout the social classes, and wearing a Venetian mask helped them to merge to even more.After the decline of the Carnaval in Venice during the 1700s , it was reintroduced by the Italian government in 1970, in the hope of restoring Venice's history and culture.

Approx 30,000 people come to Venice Carnival a year , and one of its most important events is the best masked competition , with a panel of international costume and fashion designer judges.

if your looking for the perfect Venice Carnival mask then visit www.venetianmasqueademasks.co.uk

The Masque

A masque is a form of festive courtly entertainment , which became popular in the 15oos and 1600s in Europe , although it was developed earlier in Italy with Ventian masks.The masque tradition evolved  from the elaborate 1400s party's of ducal Burgundy, where masques were used to celebrate births,marriages and changes of rulers.the themes of these masques would be  classical  more than christian , with elements of ethical debate ,politics and mythological fable.

A masque involved music,dancing ,singing and acting , which usually Incorporated elaborate stage designs and full face masks .Many professional actors were hired for the singing and speaking parts and minor parts were given to the courtiers, such as King James 1st wife Anne of Denmark who frequently danced in them.Both Henry 8th and Charles 1st were known to perform in their own masques at court.

The origins of The Masque came from the tradition of masked players calling on Noble halls and performing all night for their hosts ,until the end when they unmasked themselves .

Of all the Arts from the Renaissance , the Masque is the most unknown , being overshadowed by painters ,carnivals and plays. 

To see our selection of Masque Masks please visit us at www.venetianmasqueademasks.co.uk

Scream Mask

The Scream mask or "Ghost Face " is forever remembered from the iconic slasher scream series films .and is a fictional identity used by the main antagonists of the film.the characters voice is by Roger L. Jackson regardless of who has been behind the mask.

The mask is based on the Scream painting by the artist Edvard Munch and was created by the fun world employee Brigitte sleirstein. the mask used primarily as a disguise for the murders to protect their identity has become more thrilling due to the fact that the changing faces behind him mean he has no definite motivation.

The costume consists of a rubber latex mask ,hooded black robe and hunting knife .

to see our selection of scream masks just visit www.venetianmasqueademasks.co.uk

Commedia Del Arte Pierrot

The Name Pierrot is a nickname or shortened version of the name Peter or Italian Pedronlini .The  renowned Pierrot character of The Commedia Del Arte originated in the late 1600s with a troupe of Italian players called the Comedie-Itallenne who were at the time performing in Paris . Today the Pierrot Character is more famous in modern day culture with films ,art,books and poetry portraying him as the sad clown who pines for his love Columbine .The Columbine character usually laughs at his advances and couples with the Harlequin .

The costume of the Pierrot character is always white to symbolise his innocence , it consists of a loose blouse with overly large buttons and pantaloons .His face is always unmasked but covered in white and occasionally he will wear a frilled collar and hat, although since his reincarnation under the famous actor Jean -Gaspard Deburau he wears neither , just the iconic small black skullcap.It was also during this time that the Pierrot  became mute  due to the fact that the theatre Jean worked in was only licensed for  mime and acrobatics .

The major characteristics of the Pierrot is that he is part of the Zanni family of clowns but from the lowliest peasant stock and has neither the cunning or charm of the rest of the clowns .He is  a fool ,naive and always the butt of jokes in the Commedia Del Arte but still completely trusting .    a buffoon who is always on the periphery of the action giving what he believes is wisdom and advice but the rest of the characters think is nonsense and ridiculous.

In the 1800s the public and many romantic bohemian  artists had developed a deep sympathy for this dejected character and turned him from a fool into a version of themselves , a figure alienated and innocent struggling to fit into the strict world of "eat or be eaten".His frustrated  and futile pursuit of Columbine combined with his isolated ,out of touch and complete naivete of the world  ensured he was lifted from the  Commedia Del Arte and into the lager world of Myth.

To see our great range of Pierrot Masks visit us at www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Commedia Del Arte El Capitano

El Capitano  Italian for The Captain is a Commedia Del Arte character who is often foreign . He  originates from around the 1600s and is based on the Spanish occupation of Italy during this time hence El Capitano is often  Spanish in the Commedia Del Arte plays.

The character tends to talk at great length about his military prowess and romantic flings  in his wish to impress everyone but mostly just impresses himself, as he has no idea about woman and would instantly run away if the need to fight arose. Greed is often a word associated with the El Capitano , as in the scenario where he is chosen to protect the female Immoretti but proceeds to set up a bidding war between all her suitors, and is known to often switch sides during conflict depending on who is winning .

the costume of the Commedia Del Arte  El Capitano is a military uniform and tricorn hat  which is worn and patchy to show his lack of money.His mask has a large nose and moustache which is usually turned up at the corners.Glasses are usually worn for his poor vision but the character insists its so his fierce glint wont outshine the sun.Because he is foreign a overly large ruff is worn in the Spanish fashion.His sword is just for show , and if he ever draws it it is always either too heavy to hold or wobbly to use , which emphasises his lack of courage , whilst his stance is straight with one hand on hip and the other placed on sword to show off.his comedy value is greatly shown when he is scared as he screams like a women and then is known to faint .

Because he El Capitano is a show off his titles are usually something like "Mountain Crumbler" and "Mountain Splitter" , But He often ends up with ridicules names like "The saviour Of Drunken Virgins".

To see our great range of Commedia Del Arte Masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

A full face mask the Bauta or Bautta has a strong stubborn chin line ,  and is always covered in plenty of gilding .The Bauta mask covers the top of the face from forehead to nose including the cheeks but leaves the mouth open to enable the wearer to to eat and converse easily. the design of the mask also changes the timbre of the wearers voice concealing the identity of the wearer even more.

the Bauta mask is one of the most worn by men  during Carnival, but it wasn't always for this occasion. Due to its ability of hiding a persons identity and social status , many wore it to allow them to act more freely and outside the limits of convention for such things as illicit ,criminal,personal and romantic interests.

During the 1700s the Bauta mask became  a regulated mask obligatory by the Venetian government , to be worn during political decision making events and ballots where citizens were required to be anonymous o ensure free and equal votes. Whilst wearing the mask the wearer was required to not carry arms. 

To see our great range of authentic Bauta masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Carnival

The festive season of Carnival occurs immediately before Lent during February  and is by definition a public celebration combining parades with themes such as circus and masquerades in public streets.

Mainly Carnival is celebrated by Roman Catholics , two of the most famous are the Brazilian Carnival of Rio De Janeiro and the Italian masked Carnival of Venice . Carnival traditions  are based on the Lenten period from the Gospel , where people would hold no parties ,celebrations .and fast by not consuming any rich foods such as dairy's,fats ,meats and sugars.This would last for forty days and after that time the whole community would throw a huge Carnival party.Whilst Carnival forms part of the history of the Roman church , some traditions do date back to the ancient Roman festivals called Saturnalia and Bacchanalia and have been Incorporated into the Venetian masked  Carnival.

Perhaps the best known traditions include  carnival parades ,  and  masquerade masked balls which were first recorded in medieval Italy in the Carnival of Venice .these themes quickly spread to Portugal,Spain and France and then on to Germany.

The term Carne vale is Latin for "farewell to meat" which explains the fasting for Lent  Alternatively it could be translated to "farewell to the flesh" which is a motto embraced by many as an encouragement to let go of your everyday self and embrace the carefree nature of the festival.

The first Carnival of Venice was recorded in 1268, although it was restricted by church laws forbidding the wearing of masks , a main feature of the Italian Carnival .Venetian masked  Carnival was stopped altogether after its fall to Austria in 1798 , until its revival in the 20th century .

There are two main Italian Festivals , the first is Carnival of Viareggio .which is characterised by its parades and floats . The carnival of Ivrea has a famous battle of the oranges where people have a food fight in the streets with citrus fruits.

In summary Carnival stretches across the world to every country and religion who adapt it to suite there customs , with the most famous being the Venetian Carnival.

If you would like to see our great range of Venetian masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk 

Morretta Mask

The Morretta Venetian mask originated in medieval France to prevent the woman from talking to nuns or male clergy when going to church. the mask was made with black velvet(hence the name morretta meaning dark) and completed with a black silk veil. to keep the mask attached to your face there was a button where the mouth should be and it was kept clenched between the teeth , meaning no speech could pass your lips.Eventually in the 1700s  the Venetians adopted the mask for their carnivals as it enhanced the woman's feminine features and accentuated the tone of their skin color .It was in Venice that the Morretta mask came to be nicknamed  as Servetta Mura (dumb maid servant).

to see the range of Authentic Venetian Masks visit www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

E4s Made In Chelsea Reality Program

well for those of you who last night watched the made in Chelsea masquerade ball episode , will have seen a whole host of masks designed and imported by our very own venetian masquerade masks website.

with Ollie sporting our Venetian colombina piuma , Gabriella looked dazzling in her blue Fleur Venetian mask. Hugo and Millie went for the venetian Vivian and Gondola masks and Francis looked dashing in his Venetian Zanni mask.the rest of the cast were seen wearing a collection of Macramé ,Volto and Harlequin masks.

for those who don't know about the channel 4 reality drama which is shot in the wealthy  knightsbridge, Belgravia area of Chelsea London  , it follows a group  of elite rich 20 something year olds who range from pop wannabes to old Etonians , as we follow their arguments ,loves and backstabbing .

the cast consists of bisexual event planner  Ollie Locke , diamond entrepreneur  Francis boulle, aspiring singer Caggie Dunlop ,make up artist millie mackintosh, boutique owner Amber Atherton,musician Gabrielle  Ellis,blog author Cheska Hull, and Spencer Mathews , Fredrick Ferrier , Hugo Taylor ,Alenxandra Felstead and Rosie Fortisque .

all of the above masks can be found at www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk

History Of The Commedia Del Arte

The Commedia Del Arte was established in Italy during the 1500s and was known as a performance characterised by masks. The translation of the term Commedia Del Arte means comedy of craft, and the object of this form of theatre was it was improvised with humour instead of a scripted production.

Although its roots date back to the roman empire and Greek theatre , the earliest known commedia  troupe were called the Gelosi who received patronage and protection from the king of France himself .

It is also important to note that Commedia Del Arte were the first to enjoy having female roles played by females , although this view wasn’t shared by the Italian clergy who described them as prostitutes who infused men with carnal desires , and attempted to have them banned .it wasn’t until the Napoleonic period that Commedia  Del Arte was outlawed .

The plot lines tended to include themes of adultery, jealousy, old age and love, drawing influence from current events and topics of the time. The most classic plot would involve two young lovers wishing to be married, but thwarted by an elderly person who wishes to have one of the young lovers for himself .this leads to the too doomed lovers asking help from the servants with typically the young lovers marrying. The players relied heavily on practical jokes and on the spot improvised episodes whilst their heavily rehearsed jokes, dialogue and actions could be applied to different regions they travelled in with different in tastes and gossip. This often led to most audiences coming to see the performers and the plot line taking second place.

Players tended to perform outside without scenery, just using a variety of props. The cities and towns often funded them for their festivals, but many troupes were patronized by the nobility as well. The most successful of the troupes had to be able to travel throughout Europe and perform in front of royalty and nobility.

Some of the most famous actors and actresses were Dionisi Martinelli who was famed for his roles playing Arllechino and was honoured by the queen of France. Whilst Isabella Andreini was a member of the Compagnia Dei Comica Gelosi who performed for the highest circles in France, Italy and Spain .she was especially known for making her character less dull by tearing her clothes off on stage.

Many of our modern day comedy characters are drawn from the Commedia Del Arte such as the clown and punch and Judy.

If you’re interested in original Italian masks then visit venetian masquerade masks .