Innamorati: The Lovers, Commedia dellArte

Innamorati
The Italian lovers, in a performance, would normally be presented in pairs of two for a full scenario called innamorati. The males have names such as: Silvio, Fabrisio, Aurelio, Orazio, Ottavio, Ortensio, Lelio, Flavio, Leandro, Cinzio, Florindo, Lindoro, etc; The females: Isabella, Angelica, Eularia, Flaminia, Vittoria, Silvia, Lavinia, Ortensia, Aurelia, etc.

Physical Characteristics
-She is young and attractive. Vittoria is a very jealous and fickle person who is never alone on stage, she also has someone either with her or following her. -Isabella appeared as a young, attractive woman who was always very proud. She lead with her chest on stage and also acted very strong.

History
-Isabella first appeared in the 16th century as a well educated girl. She was loved by all classes and countries. Sadly, she died giving birth.

Costume/Masks/Props
They all enjoy changing multiple times to show off their many clothes. They wore no actual mask instead they have heavy makeup. -Vittoria wears tattered rags and mixed colours much like a gypsy. -Isabella dressed in her finest, most expensive silk dresses and large jewelry pieces such as necklaces and pearls. As props, she used a fan or handkerchief.

Function In Plot
Both Isabella and Vittoria initiates solutions on her own account and was the lover. As a lover, she is in love with herself being in love.

Influences
-Vittoria was influenced mainly by animals and that is where she got most of her movement characteristics from. -She was influenced by birds because on stage she acted very light and in love. The main influence of Isabella was a flamingo.

Flavio
-Son, pride and joy of the main family. His status is high but is brought low by his fear of not being loved

History
-In the aristocracy of the Italian Renaissance courts, they entertained the guests and higher social classes with comedy performances inspired by plays such as Terence and Plautus. As the professional performers improvised their comedy acts, they looked to expand their genres and borrowed the Lovers from the amateur form.

Physical characteristics
-Young and attractive -Very nice, masculine with huge ego -Suave, elegant well dressed man -Often gives 300% energy on the things he does

Costumes/Props/Masks
-He often has a dagger, sword or some nice weapon but apart from that no real props required -No mask -Heavy make-up. Mascara and beauty spots for both sexes. The make-up in fact becomes a mask enabling performers to play the role well into middle-age, or even beyond. Vizard or loup could be worn for disguise, usually made of black velvet. But since it has no expression it does not count as a mask in the Commedia sense

Function in plot
-He is absolutely required. Without them and their inability to resolve their own problems, there would be no function for the zanni (another character). The Lovers are never alone on stage they always have someone with them or spying on them.

Lelio: Physical characteristics

-Young and well set-up -Gallant and attractive -Wears the latest fashion and sometimes over fashionable -His animal reference is to a butterfly -Has a feminine look with a heart motif

Posture
walking -Light on his toes -Arms extended with loose wrist standing -chest and heart heavy -when situation become too much, deflates totally

Props/costumes/mask
-His main prop is a handkerchief -Heavy make-up,Mascara and beauty spots for both sexes. -No mask but occasionally wore a mask which only cover the eyes

Function in plot
-Typically their story was what drove their father to war -When all else failed, their joining is what makes the happy ending

Bibliography:
-http://shane-arts.com/Commedia-Flavio.htm
-The Commedia dell'Arte by Winifred Smith, New York, 1912 -http://www.clownlink.com/2011/02/commedia-charactersthe-innamorati/

-http://www.shane-arts.com/CommediaInnamorati.htm#sthash.Y3NthiHy.dpuf