What genre is commedia dell arte?

Does Commedia Dell 'Arte have to do with the carnivals hosted in Italy?

• I'm doing an essay on Commedia Dell Arte and I'm trying to see if it has anything to do with the carnivals in Italy. Thanks! =)

• Answer:

  It depends on which Carnevale celebration you consider. Certainly, a lot of the costumes during Carnevale are based on the traditional Commedia dell'Arte characters. You might find these sites useful for your research: http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/commedia.html , http://www.theatrehistory.com/italian/commedia_dell_arte_001.html , http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/area.asp?id=4 However, there are also important Carnevale celebrations here that have little to do with the Commedia dell'Arte. The celebration in Ivrea is unique - you really have to see the orange battles to get the full effect: http://www.carnevalediivrea.it/english/battaglia.asp . The characters there represent the various invaders that conquered and ruled the town and the citizens who rose up and regained their freedom at various points. Carnevale in Cento is more like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but the floats are political allegories; they're very tall to fit the narrow streets and much more elaborate. They also have an exchange of representatives with people from Brazil every year. http://www.carnevalecento.com/ Viareggio is another important carnevale with large allegorical floats. http://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/viareggiocarnival.cfm The main character there is known as Burlamacco.