Beltrame
Encyclopedia
Beltrame is a traditional character of the Italian
commedia dell'arte
associated to the city of Milan
, and dating back to the 16th-17th century or earlier. It is also often referenced by the full name Beltrame di Milano and also as Beltrame di Gaggiano (from the borgo - now a comune
- of Gaggiano
, in the surroundings of Milan) or Beltrame de la Gippa (where the "gippa" is the large blouse, or tunic, worn by the character).
The creation of Beltrame character is sometimes credited to Niccolò Barbieri
. In any case, Barbieri largely contributed to the popularity of the character with plays such as L'inavvertito. Barbieri was an actor as well as a comedian, and assumed the role and stage name of Beltrame himself. His character is a usually a crafty, astute villager and husband and blunderer, always trying to appear of higher rank than he really is; anyway, he took on several different roles, including that of the merchant and of Colombina's father trying to force his daughter into a marriage of convenience (a part he shares with Tabarino). He often reaches his goals in virtue of his lack of scruples, astute rhetoric, and mock good manners. His costume, resembling that of a 16th century servant, included a large tunic, a purse, and a dagger.
Beltrame has long been the main representative of Milan in the commedia, although this role was later taken on by Meneghino
. It is also often described as a variation of character Brighella
(associated to the city of Bergamo
, and sometimes also to Milan), or even as Brighella's brother.
Beltrame has inspired Moliere
's character Mascarille, from the comedy L'Étourdi ou Les Contretemps (The Blunderer, 1655).
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
associated to the city of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, and dating back to the 16th-17th century or earlier. It is also often referenced by the full name Beltrame di Milano and also as Beltrame di Gaggiano (from the borgo - now a comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
- of Gaggiano
Gaggiano
Gaggiano is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 13 km southwest of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 8,360 and an area of 26.7 km²....
, in the surroundings of Milan) or Beltrame de la Gippa (where the "gippa" is the large blouse, or tunic, worn by the character).
The creation of Beltrame character is sometimes credited to Niccolò Barbieri
Niccolò Barbieri
Niccolò Barbieri was an Italian writer and actor of the commedia dell'arte theatrical genre. He was also known as Beltrame di Milano in reference to one of his most popular characters, Beltrame; this was the main character of one of Barbieri's best known plays, L'inavertito, which is known to...
. In any case, Barbieri largely contributed to the popularity of the character with plays such as L'inavvertito. Barbieri was an actor as well as a comedian, and assumed the role and stage name of Beltrame himself. His character is a usually a crafty, astute villager and husband and blunderer, always trying to appear of higher rank than he really is; anyway, he took on several different roles, including that of the merchant and of Colombina's father trying to force his daughter into a marriage of convenience (a part he shares with Tabarino). He often reaches his goals in virtue of his lack of scruples, astute rhetoric, and mock good manners. His costume, resembling that of a 16th century servant, included a large tunic, a purse, and a dagger.
Beltrame has long been the main representative of Milan in the commedia, although this role was later taken on by Meneghino
Meneghino
Meneghino is a traditional character of the Italian commedia dell'arte, associated to the city of Milan. As such, it also plays a major role in the Milanese celebrations of Carnival and in local marionette traditional shows.It is uncertain whether "Meneghino" is just a diminutive form of...
. It is also often described as a variation of character Brighella
Brighella
Brighella is a comic, masked character from the Commedia dell'arte. His early costume consisted of loosely-fitting, white smock and pants with green trim and was often equipped with a battachio or slapstick, or else with a wooden sword. Later he took to wearing a sort of livery with a matching cape...
(associated to the city of Bergamo
Bergamo
Bergamo is a town and comune in Lombardy, Italy, about 40 km northeast of Milan. The comune is home to over 120,000 inhabitants. It is served by the Orio al Serio Airport, which also serves the Province of Bergamo, and to a lesser extent the metropolitan area of Milan...
, and sometimes also to Milan), or even as Brighella's brother.
Beltrame has inspired Moliere
Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright and actor who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature...
's character Mascarille, from the comedy L'Étourdi ou Les Contretemps (The Blunderer, 1655).