Ephemera, Festivals and Theatrical Representation
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Festive sites
The great halls of royal and noble families, of city councils or monasteries were frequently used to host festivities or theatrical performances. The great halls of royal and noble families, of city councils or monasteries were frequently used to host festivities or theatrical performances. These venues had been designed for many types of events, from receptions and meetings to banquets, ceremonial dinners, theatrical performances, concerts or dazzling balls, with the furniture and decoration interchangeable and movable as an event required. At some banquets musical, theatrical or choreographed interludes entertained the guests. Sometimes magnificent venues were designed, built and decorated especially for a special festive occasion.
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Bernhardisaal (Fürstensaal)
1720–1722 Central pavilion of the western monastery wing, the so called “Bernhardibau”, Cistercian Monastery of Stams
Stams, Tyrol, Austria
Johann Martin Gumpp the elder (1643–1729) and Georg Anton Gumpp (1682–1754); Franz Michael Hueber (?–1746), Anton Zoller (1695–1768)
This sumptuously decorated great hall was further elaborated for ceremonies and banquets. Meditating on the acts of St. Bernard represented on the walls, the guests were incorporated into the time and space of the saint while also participating in the festivities in the present. The theatre of illusory paintings imitating stucco decorations, statues and small trees in buckets, would have been the subject of further marvel for the guests.
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