Accademia degli Incogniti
Encyclopedia
The Accademia degli Incogniti (Academy of the Unknowns) was a learned society
of freethinking intellectuals, mainly noblemen, that significantly influenced the cultural and political life of mid-17th century Venice
. The society was founded in 1630 by Giovanni Francesco Loredano, and derived its basic Aristotelian philosophy
from Cesare Cremone
, a Peripatetic who was professor of philosophy at the University of Padua
. The society included historians, poets, and librettists
.
According to historian Ellen Rosand, the academy, in keeping with its name, usually operated behind the scenes. Members often wrote in a secret language and frequently published their works anonymously. The Accademia degli Incogniti was particularly active in the promotion of musical theater in Venice from the 1630s onward, founding its own theater, the Novissimo, which flourished briefly between 1614 and 1645. In their librettos for musical dramas, the iconoclastic intellectuals of the academy set a tone which was "[often] shockingly frank and frequently amoral". Among these librettists were Giacomo Badoaro
, who wrote Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria
for Claudio Monteverdi
, and Giovanni Francesco Busenello
, who provided Monteverdi with the libretto for the composer's final and arguably greatest operatic work, L'incoronazione di Poppea
.
Although the academy is often depicted as a group of "sceptical libertines extolling a peculiarly Venetian brand of (im)morality", Loredano was a respected senator of the Venetian republic
; other members likewise served the Republic as senators or councilors, and the academy remained an unofficial center of political power for several decades. Its influence began to wane in the late 1650s, and by 1661, the academy had ceased to meet.
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
of freethinking intellectuals, mainly noblemen, that significantly influenced the cultural and political life of mid-17th century Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. The society was founded in 1630 by Giovanni Francesco Loredano, and derived its basic Aristotelian philosophy
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
from Cesare Cremone
Cesare Cremonini (philosopher)
Cesare Cremonini, sometimes Cesare Cremonino , was an Italian professor of natural philosophy, working rationalism and Aristotelian materialism inside scholasticism...
, a Peripatetic who was professor of philosophy at the University of Padua
Padua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
. The society included historians, poets, and librettists
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
.
According to historian Ellen Rosand, the academy, in keeping with its name, usually operated behind the scenes. Members often wrote in a secret language and frequently published their works anonymously. The Accademia degli Incogniti was particularly active in the promotion of musical theater in Venice from the 1630s onward, founding its own theater, the Novissimo, which flourished briefly between 1614 and 1645. In their librettos for musical dramas, the iconoclastic intellectuals of the academy set a tone which was "[often] shockingly frank and frequently amoral". Among these librettists were Giacomo Badoaro
Giacomo Badoaro
Giacomo Badoaro was a Venetian nobleman and amateur poet. He is most famous for writing the libretto for Claudio Monteverdi's opera Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria . He also provided librettos for the operas Ulisse errante by Francesco Sacrati and Elena rapita da Teseo by Jacopo Melani...
, who wrote Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria
Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria is an opera in a prologue and five acts , set by Claudio Monteverdi to a libretto by Giacomo Badoaro. The opera was first performed at the Teatro Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice during the 1639–1640 carnival season...
for Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi – 29 November 1643) was an Italian composer, gambist, and singer.Monteverdi's work, often regarded as revolutionary, marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two individual styles of composition – the...
, and Giovanni Francesco Busenello
Giovanni Francesco Busenello
Giovanni Francesco Busenello was an Italian lawyer, librettist and poet of the 17th century.Born to a high-class family of Venice, it is thought that he studied at the University of Padua, where according to himself he was taught by Paolo Sarpi and Cesare Cremonino...
, who provided Monteverdi with the libretto for the composer's final and arguably greatest operatic work, L'incoronazione di Poppea
L'incoronazione di Poppea
L'incoronazione di Poppea is an Italian baroque opera comprising a prologue and three acts, first performed in Venice during the 1642–43 carnival season. The music, attributed to Claudio Monteverdi, is a setting of a libretto by Giovanni Francesco Busenello...
.
Although the academy is often depicted as a group of "sceptical libertines extolling a peculiarly Venetian brand of (im)morality", Loredano was a respected senator of the Venetian republic
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
; other members likewise served the Republic as senators or councilors, and the academy remained an unofficial center of political power for several decades. Its influence began to wane in the late 1650s, and by 1661, the academy had ceased to meet.