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BOOKS
The Hidden Theatres of the Marche
Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of ‘Don
Giovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’s most
celebrated buildings including his ‘Teatro Olimpico’
(1580-1585). This Roman-influenced theatre in
Vicenza is lauded as the first purpose-built indoor
theatre in Europe and proved an inspired setting
for Mozart’s grand opera.
and proved the necessary spur to (self-) publish
this book. Most of the book’s photographs are by
the author and the text is peppered with
anecdotal asides and historical details, such as
Mussolini’s propensity for 12-egg omelette with
truffles.
The book explores almost every aspect of
theatre design, from procurement methods to
Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of
proscenium arches to the iconography of the
‘Don Giovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’s
stage curtain. It looks at the role of theatre not
most celebrated buildings including his ‘Teatro
only as a place of ritual and dramatic revelation
Olimpico’ (1580-1585). This Roman-influenced
but also as a societal structuring device. Here the
Author: Ian Arnott
theatre in Vicenza is lauded as the first purposeaspiring bourgeoisie sought to affirm their social
Published by: Matador (2013)
built indoor theatre in Europe and proved an
standing by commissioning a bespoke theatre –
ISBN-10: 1780885369
inspired setting for Mozart’s grand opera.
which eventually matured into a ‘Teatro
Price: £15.95
This fusion of Mozart’s music and early Italian
Comunale’. The theatre therefore was recognized
architecture also acted as the catalyst for Ian
as an essential symbol of any civilized society and a
Arnott’s new book ‘The Hidden Theatres of the
self-confident reflection of its local community. The
Marche’. Born in 1929, Arnott trained as an architect before
surge in construction work was spurred on by an innate rivalry
establishing the award-winning practice of Campbell + Arnott in
between neighbouring towns which resulted in Le Marche accruing
1962. Although now retired from architectural practice, he remains
some 113 theatres - the most intense proliferation per capita
an Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy and recently secured
anywhere in the world. Despite the intervening years, occasional
a travel bursary to part-fund his newfound passion for Italian theatre
wars and calamitous earthquakes, some 73 venues remain