Russian Theatre
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide knowledge and create skills related to the history of Russian theatre and the analysis of the dramatic text. The course is reserved for students of the three-year Degree Course in Foreign Languages and Literatures (starting from the second year), the Master's Degree Course in European and non-European Languages and Literatures, and the Master's Degree in Music and Performance Science. After an introductory stage in which the main lines of the Russian theatre development will be described, from the origins to the end of the nineteenth century, special attention will be paid to key-texts and figures of the Russian theatre of the twentieth century.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: at the end of modules A and B the student will know the main lines of development of the history of Russian theatre from the origins to the end of the nineteenth century. He will have in-depth knowledge of the main acting systems and theories of Russian masters of theatrical directing. At the end of module C the student will be acquainted with some of the main re-readings of Russian theatrical heritage given by Russian and Italian directors in recent years.
Skills: the student will acquire the ability to analyze the dramatic text and the staging. He will be able to place over time authors, currents and major works of the studied period; he will be able to highlight the similarities and differences between the texts read, placing them in relation with their historical and social context.
Skills: the student will acquire the ability to analyze the dramatic text and the staging. He will be able to place over time authors, currents and major works of the studied period; he will be able to highlight the similarities and differences between the texts read, placing them in relation with their historical and social context.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
The course is called "Vsevolod Meyerhold and the return to classics". It consists of the following three parts:
a) General features of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Chekhov
b) Meyerhold as actor and director
c) An overview of contemporary Russian theatre
Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will stick to the program of parts A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will stick to the complete program (parts A, B and C). Part A will retrace the main stages of the development of dramaturgy in Russia from the late 1600s to the early 1900s. In Part B, V. E. Meyerhold's activity as actor and director will be deepened. In Part C, some recent theatrical performances of Russian classics will be examined.
a) General features of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Chekhov
b) Meyerhold as actor and director
c) An overview of contemporary Russian theatre
Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will stick to the program of parts A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will stick to the complete program (parts A, B and C). Part A will retrace the main stages of the development of dramaturgy in Russia from the late 1600s to the early 1900s. In Part B, V. E. Meyerhold's activity as actor and director will be deepened. In Part C, some recent theatrical performances of Russian classics will be examined.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held in Italian, the materials and the exam bibliography require specific skills in Russian history, use of terminology and critical analysis acquired in previous courses.
Teaching methods
During the course the following teaching methods will be employed: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on scenes from the scheduled works; viewing and commenting of documentaries, films and theatrical performances.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Compulsory reading works for each of the teaching units are indicated below.
Unit A
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: A.D.P. Briggs, Writers and repertoires, 1800-1850; C. Marsh, Realism in the Russian theatre, 1850-1882; R. Leach, Revolutionary theatre,1918-1930.
Two texts (by two different authors, one of which must be Chekhov) from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
A. S. Griboedov, Che disgrazia l'ingegno! (ed. Marchese, 2017, traduzione di M. Caratozzolo)
L. N. Tolstoj, La potenza delle tenebre
A. P. Čechov, Le tre sorelle
A. P. Čechov, Il giardino dei ciliegi
Unità didattica B
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least two of works of Unit B in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatrical performances will be available on Ariel.
Critical essays
A selection of pages from V. Mejerchol'd, Sul teatro (Dino Audino Editore); V. Mejerchol'd, 1918: Lezioni di teatro, e V. E. Mejerchol'd, L'Ottobre teatrale 1918-1939 (publisher: Cue Press). The selection will be specified on the Ariel site.
Some texts will be available on Ariel.
Unit C
Materials related to Unit c (slides, videos) will be available on Ariel.
Program for non-attending students
Non-attending students will stick to the program for attending students, but in addition they will have to read:
Three (and not two) texts from the list above
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999.
Chapters: V. Borovsky, The emergence of the Russian theatre 1763-1800; K. Sealey Rahman, Aleksandr Ostrovsky - dramatist and director; J. Benedetti, Stanislavsky and the Moscow Art Theatre 1898-1938; S. Golub, The Silver Age, 1905-1917
More pages from V. Mejerchol'd,Sul teatro; 1918: Lezioni di teatro e L'Ottobre teatrale 1918-1939 (specified on the Ariel site).
Unit A
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: A.D.P. Briggs, Writers and repertoires, 1800-1850; C. Marsh, Realism in the Russian theatre, 1850-1882; R. Leach, Revolutionary theatre,1918-1930.
Two texts (by two different authors, one of which must be Chekhov) from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
A. S. Griboedov, Che disgrazia l'ingegno! (ed. Marchese, 2017, traduzione di M. Caratozzolo)
L. N. Tolstoj, La potenza delle tenebre
A. P. Čechov, Le tre sorelle
A. P. Čechov, Il giardino dei ciliegi
Unità didattica B
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least two of works of Unit B in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatrical performances will be available on Ariel.
Critical essays
A selection of pages from V. Mejerchol'd, Sul teatro (Dino Audino Editore); V. Mejerchol'd, 1918: Lezioni di teatro, e V. E. Mejerchol'd, L'Ottobre teatrale 1918-1939 (publisher: Cue Press). The selection will be specified on the Ariel site.
Some texts will be available on Ariel.
Unit C
Materials related to Unit c (slides, videos) will be available on Ariel.
Program for non-attending students
Non-attending students will stick to the program for attending students, but in addition they will have to read:
Three (and not two) texts from the list above
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999.
Chapters: V. Borovsky, The emergence of the Russian theatre 1763-1800; K. Sealey Rahman, Aleksandr Ostrovsky - dramatist and director; J. Benedetti, Stanislavsky and the Moscow Art Theatre 1898-1938; S. Golub, The Silver Age, 1905-1917
More pages from V. Mejerchol'd,Sul teatro; 1918: Lezioni di teatro e L'Ottobre teatrale 1918-1939 (specified on the Ariel site).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher and the analysis and commentary of one or more excerpts taken from the works scheduled. The interview has a variable duration and takes place in Italian. Students of Lingue e letterature europee ed extraeuropee will also have to demonstrate that they can read and understand correctly in Russian at least three works among those indicated. The interview aims to check the knowledge of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works and to use specific terminology, the ability to critically and personally reflect on the issues proposed. The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, according to the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, according to the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)