Photograph: Diego Tabanelli,  © Musei Civici d'Arte Antica Bologna


Name of Monument:

Teatrino Aldrovandi Mazzacurati, Villa Aldrovandi-Mazzacurati, Bologna

Location:

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Contact DetailsTeatrino Aldrovandi Mazzacurati, Villa Aldrovandi-Mazzacurati, Bologna
Via Toscana, 19
Bologna
T : +39 051 6235780
Associazione cultura e arte del ‘700 (Responsible Institution)

Date:

1762–1763

Artists:

Plan of the interior: Gianfrancesco Aldrovandi Marescotti; theatre machines engineer: Master Bentivoglio

Denomination / Type of monument:

Domestic architecture (theatre)

Patron(s):

Marquis Gianfrancesco Aldrovandi-Marescotti

History:

This small theatre is built inside a villa a few kilometres from Bologna. It was the country residence of the noble Aldrovandi family, later Aldrovandi-Marescotti.
In 1761, the villa was completely restyled. The construction of the theatre played an important role in the renewing of the residence as the work was carried out according to a specific cultural programme. Although the architecture of the villa reflects the new neo-classical taste the theatre still follows the baroque tradition.
The plan of this theatre was created by Marquis Gianfrancesco Aldrovandi Marescotti, who can also be considered its patron. It reflects his passion for theatrical representations and theatre literature, both typical of his age.
The theatre was inaugurated the 24th of September 1763 with the representation of the Alzira by Voltaire. Marquis Gianfrancesco Aldrovandi Marescotti and his wife Lucrezia were among the actors, a common practice in private residence theatres. The play was repeated three times.
At present the theatre is run by a cultural association that opens it to the public organising guided tours (Associazione Cultura e Arte del '700).

Description:

The theatre is composed of a small rectangular hall with two orders of boxes supported by 24 sinuous mermaids and caryatids moulded in stucco. All these figures are represented in different attitudes but they only have a decorative function and their elegant arms were used to hold fresh flower wreaths during gala's evenings.
The statues were moulded by local artists, probably Camporesi or Balugani, following older models by the famous late Baroque Bolognese sculptor Angelo Piò.
The motif of caryatids, mermaids or tritons mixed together well embodies the fantastic and illusive spirit of theatre and it was often used both in the ephemera and in the theatre decorations all over Europe.

View Short Description

It is one of the most charming surviving private theatres among the many that characterised the aristocracy residences, especially villas.
Thanks to the presence of the famous architects Bibiena’s, Bologna became an important centre for theatre architecture and even its province was enriched by a lot of small elegant theatres, unfortunately most of them were completely restyled during the XIX century.

How Monument was dated:

Historical documents.

Special features

The boxes

Teatrino Aldrovandi Mazzacurati, Villa Aldrovandi-Mazzacurati

1763

Bolognese sculptors, probably Camporesi or Balugani

The boxes are supported by mermaids and caryatids all represented in different attitudes.

Selected bibliography:

Lenzi, D. and Frabetti, A., Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacurati momenti del Neoclassico tra Camaldoli e Belpoggio, Bologna, 1987.

Additional Copyright Information:

Copyright images: Comune di Bologna, Musei Civici d'Arte Antica.

Citation of this web page:

Marta Forlai "Teatrino Aldrovandi Mazzacurati, Villa Aldrovandi-Mazzacurati, Bologna" in "Discover Baroque Art", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://baroqueart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;BAR;it;Mon12;30;en

Prepared by: Marta ForlaiMarta Forlai

SURNAME: Forlai
NAME: Marta

AFFILIATION Fondazione Federico Zeri, University of Bologna

TITLE associate project manager (?)

CV
Graduated and specialized in History of Art at the University of Bologna. She is a specialist in the history of Bolognese architecture. She worked for the Musei Civici d’Arte Antica in Bologna. At present she is doing research, taking care of the photographic archive and organizing exhibitions for the Fondazione Federico Zeri at the University of Bologna.


Translation by: Marta ForlaiMarta Forlai

SURNAME: Forlai
NAME: Marta

AFFILIATION Fondazione Federico Zeri, University of Bologna

TITLE associate project manager (?)

CV
Graduated and specialized in History of Art at the University of Bologna. She is a specialist in the history of Bolognese architecture. She worked for the Musei Civici d’Arte Antica in Bologna. At present she is doing research, taking care of the photographic archive and organizing exhibitions for the Fondazione Federico Zeri at the University of Bologna.


Translation copyedited by: Lisa Kelman

MWNF Working Number: IT2 35

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