Russian Theatre
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide knowledge and create skills related to the analysis of the dramatic text and theatre in the Russian historical and cultural context, taken in both a synchronic and diachronic perspective. 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.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: the student will know the main lines of development of the history of Russian theatre. 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, to discuss and argue the materials covered by the course and to apply the method to other examples. 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 and grasp the main interpretative instances of the analyzed stagings, placing them in relation with their historical, political, and social context.
Skills: the student will acquire the ability to analyze the dramatic text and the staging, to discuss and argue the materials covered by the course and to apply the method to other examples. 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 and grasp the main interpretative instances of the analyzed stagings, placing them in relation with their historical, political, and social context.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
This course explores the legacy and transformation of selected masterpieces of Russian literature and drama through an intermedial lens. Starting from the original texts, we will examine how these works have been reinterpreted and translated into other artistic languages—particularly from theatre to cinema and from literature to the stage. The aim is to understand not only the distinctive features of the source texts but also the semantic potential and the risks inherent in processes of adaptation and rewriting, as well as the dynamics of audience reception.
The course is divided into three main sections, which may be addressed in a non-chronological order:
A) Outline of the History of Russian Drama
This introductory section provides a historical overview of the evolution of Russian theatre, from its origins up to the mid-20th century.
B) Classics of Russian Literature and Theatre
This section focuses on key texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, selected from both narrative and dramatic works that continue to play a significant role in Russian and broader European culture today.
C) Intermedial Adaptations
This section is dedicated to the analysis of transpositions and adaptations of the works discussed in Section B, with particular attention to the transitions from narrative to theatre and from theatre to cinema. Major theatrical productions and cinematic adaptations will be examined, focusing on directorial choices, textual reinterpretations, and aesthetic solutions.
Examination Requirements:
Students taking the 6-credit exam are required to cover Sections B and C.
Students taking the 9-credit exam must cover all three sections: A, B, and C.
The course is divided into three main sections, which may be addressed in a non-chronological order:
A) Outline of the History of Russian Drama
This introductory section provides a historical overview of the evolution of Russian theatre, from its origins up to the mid-20th century.
B) Classics of Russian Literature and Theatre
This section focuses on key texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries, selected from both narrative and dramatic works that continue to play a significant role in Russian and broader European culture today.
C) Intermedial Adaptations
This section is dedicated to the analysis of transpositions and adaptations of the works discussed in Section B, with particular attention to the transitions from narrative to theatre and from theatre to cinema. Major theatrical productions and cinematic adaptations will be examined, focusing on directorial choices, textual reinterpretations, and aesthetic solutions.
Examination Requirements:
Students taking the 6-credit exam are required to cover Sections B and C.
Students taking the 9-credit exam must cover all three sections: A, B, and C.
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 on documentaries, films and theatrical performances.
Teaching Resources
The course is supported by a dedicated webpage on the Ariel online teaching platform, where additional materials provided by the instructor will be made available. Below is the list of required readings for the various teaching units, along with the reference editions.
Exam Programme for Attending Students (NOTE: An attending student is defined as one who has attended at least 75% of the classes and has actively participated in class discussions.)
PART A:
Required reading from the textbook: A History of Russian Theatre, edited by R. Leach and V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: 3, 5, 11, 13, 14
PART B:
Mandatory readings for all students:
Alexander Pushkin, Boris Godunov
Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment
Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Alexander Ostrovsky, Without a Dowry
Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard
Optional readings (choose one author and one corresponding work):
Alexander Griboedov, Woe from Wit
Mikhail Lermontov, A Masquerade
Nikolai Gogol, The Government Inspector
Ivan Turgenev, A Month in the Country
Anton Chekhov, Three Sisters
PART C:
Audiovisual materials, which will be screened during class sessions and made available on Ariel. Additionally, all students (both 6 and 9 ECTS credits) are required to study a selection of critical essays, which will be listed on Ariel prior to the start of the course. IMPORTANT NOTES: Students taking the 6 ECTS exam must study Parts B and C. Students taking the 9 ECTS exam must study Parts A, B, and C. Students from other degree programs who do not know Russian will be asked to work, for Part C, on adaptations by non-Russian directors (from a list of titles available on Ariel), although these will not be covered in class. Students may, if they wish, present a short report in class. Please contact the instructor for further guidance.
Exam Programme for Non-Attending Students: Same as for attending students, with the following additional requirements:
Two works (instead of one) must be selected from the optional reading list:
Alexander Griboedov, Woe from Wit
Mikhail Lermontov, A Masquerade
Nikolai Gogol, The Government Inspector
Ivan Turgenev, A Month in the Country
Anton Chekhov, Three Sisters
Additionally, the following chapters from the textbook must be studied:
A History of Russian Theatre, edited by R. Leach and V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14
Exam Programme for Attending Students (NOTE: An attending student is defined as one who has attended at least 75% of the classes and has actively participated in class discussions.)
PART A:
Required reading from the textbook: A History of Russian Theatre, edited by R. Leach and V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: 3, 5, 11, 13, 14
PART B:
Mandatory readings for all students:
Alexander Pushkin, Boris Godunov
Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment
Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Alexander Ostrovsky, Without a Dowry
Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard
Optional readings (choose one author and one corresponding work):
Alexander Griboedov, Woe from Wit
Mikhail Lermontov, A Masquerade
Nikolai Gogol, The Government Inspector
Ivan Turgenev, A Month in the Country
Anton Chekhov, Three Sisters
PART C:
Audiovisual materials, which will be screened during class sessions and made available on Ariel. Additionally, all students (both 6 and 9 ECTS credits) are required to study a selection of critical essays, which will be listed on Ariel prior to the start of the course. IMPORTANT NOTES: Students taking the 6 ECTS exam must study Parts B and C. Students taking the 9 ECTS exam must study Parts A, B, and C. Students from other degree programs who do not know Russian will be asked to work, for Part C, on adaptations by non-Russian directors (from a list of titles available on Ariel), although these will not be covered in class. Students may, if they wish, present a short report in class. Please contact the instructor for further guidance.
Exam Programme for Non-Attending Students: Same as for attending students, with the following additional requirements:
Two works (instead of one) must be selected from the optional reading list:
Alexander Griboedov, Woe from Wit
Mikhail Lermontov, A Masquerade
Nikolai Gogol, The Government Inspector
Ivan Turgenev, A Month in the Country
Anton Chekhov, Three Sisters
Additionally, the following chapters from the textbook must be studied:
A History of Russian Theatre, edited by R. Leach and V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14
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 translate at least two works n Russian 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.
Professor(s)