Russian Theatre
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide knowledge and create skills related to the history of Russian theatre and the analysis of the dramatic text. 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 . After an introductory stage in which the main lines of the Russian theatre development will be described, from the origins to the end of the nineteenth century, special attention will be paid to A.P. Chekhov, with particular regard to his last theatrical works and the importance they have played in the history of K. Stanislavsky's Moscow Art Theatre and of the European theatre of the twentieth century.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: at the end of modules A and B the student will know the main lines of development of the history of Russian theatre from the origins to the beginning of the twentieth century. He will have in-depth knowledge of A.P. Chekhov's dramaturgical work in his relationship with K. Stanislavsky's Moscow Art Theatre. At the end of module C the student will be acquainted with some of the main re-readings of Chekhov's Three Sisters and The Cherry orchard given by Russian and Italian directors from the 1960s to the present day.
Skills: the student will acquire the ability to analyze the dramatic text and the staging. 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, placing them in relation with their historical and social context.
Skills: the student will acquire the ability to analyze the dramatic text and the staging. 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, placing them in relation with their historical and social context.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is called "Chekhov from the Moscow Art Theater to contemporary scenes". It consists of the following three teaching units:
a) General features of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Chekhov
b) Chekhov and the Moscow Art Theater
c) Chekhov on the scene
Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will stick to the program of units A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will stick to the complete program (units A, B and C). Unit A will retrace the main stages of the development of dramaturgy in Russia from the late 1600s to the early 1900s. In Unit B, the history of the creation of the Moscow Art Theater will be deepened, with particular regard to the staging of Chekhov's works. In unit C, some theatrical performances of Chekhov's works will be examined: from Anatolij Efros to Juryj Ljubimov, from Giorgio Strehler to Oleg Efremov, up to the recent performances by Andrej Konchalovskij and Lev Dodin.
a) General features of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Chekhov
b) Chekhov and the Moscow Art Theater
c) Chekhov on the scene
Students who intend to acquire 6 ECTS will stick to the program of units A and B; all students who intend to acquire 9 ECTS will stick to the complete program (units A, B and C). Unit A will retrace the main stages of the development of dramaturgy in Russia from the late 1600s to the early 1900s. In Unit B, the history of the creation of the Moscow Art Theater will be deepened, with particular regard to the staging of Chekhov's works. In unit C, some theatrical performances of Chekhov's works will be examined: from Anatolij Efros to Juryj Ljubimov, from Giorgio Strehler to Oleg Efremov, up to the recent performances by Andrej Konchalovskij and Lev Dodin.
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 of documentaries, films and theatrical performances.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Compulsory reading works for each of the teaching units are indicated below.
Unit A
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: A.D.P. Briggs, Writers and repertoires, 1800-1850; A. Altschuller, Actors and acting, 1820-1850; C. Marsh, Realism in the Russian theatre, 1850-1882; J. Benedetti, Stanislavsky and the Moscow Art Theatre 1898-1938
Three texts (by at least two different authors) from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
A. S. Puškin, Mozart e Salieri
A. S. Puškin, Il Convitato di Pietra
A. S. Griboedov, Che disgrazia l'ingegno! (ed. Marchese, 2017, traduzione di M. Caratozzolo)
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
N. V. Gogol', Il matrimonio
A. N. Ostrovskij, L'uragano
A. N. Ostrovskij, In famiglia ci si arrangia
L.N. Tolstoj, La potenza delle tenebre
M. Gor'kij, I bassifondi
Unit B
Il gabbiano (any edition)
Zio Vanja (any edition)
Le tre sorelle (any edition)
Il giardino dei ciliegi (any edition)
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least three of Chekhov's works in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatricall performances of Chekhov's works will be available on Ariel.
Critical essays
V. Strada, Idea di Čechov, in Le veglie della ragione : miti e figure della letteratura russa da Dostoevskij a Pasternak, Torino, Einaudi, 1986
R. Peace, Il classicismo moderno di Čechov, in Anton Čechov. Antologia critica. A cura di E. Bazzarelli e F. Malcovati, Milano, LED, 1992
Some texts will be available on Ariel.
Unit C
Materials related to Unit c (slides, videoa) will be available on Ariel.
Program for non-attending students
Non-attending students will stick to the program for attending students, but in addition they will have to read:
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999.
In aggiunta ai capitoli indicati per i frequentanti, anche i capitoli: V. Borovsky, The emergence of the Russian theatre 1763-1800; K. Sealey Rahman, Aleksandr Ostrovsky - dramatist and director;
Anton Čechov. Antologia critica. A cura di E. Bazzarelli e F. Malcovati, LED 1992.
In aggiunta ai capitoli indicati per i frequentanti, anche i capitoli: S. Baluchatyj, Il gabbiano; Z.Papernyj, Tre sorelle; Z. Papernyj, Il giardino dei ciliegi, A.M. Repellino, Zio Vanja.
Unit A
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters: A.D.P. Briggs, Writers and repertoires, 1800-1850; A. Altschuller, Actors and acting, 1820-1850; C. Marsh, Realism in the Russian theatre, 1850-1882; J. Benedetti, Stanislavsky and the Moscow Art Theatre 1898-1938
Three texts (by at least two different authors) from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
A. S. Puškin, Mozart e Salieri
A. S. Puškin, Il Convitato di Pietra
A. S. Griboedov, Che disgrazia l'ingegno! (ed. Marchese, 2017, traduzione di M. Caratozzolo)
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
N. V. Gogol', Il matrimonio
A. N. Ostrovskij, L'uragano
A. N. Ostrovskij, In famiglia ci si arrangia
L.N. Tolstoj, La potenza delle tenebre
M. Gor'kij, I bassifondi
Unit B
Il gabbiano (any edition)
Zio Vanja (any edition)
Le tre sorelle (any edition)
Il giardino dei ciliegi (any edition)
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least three of Chekhov's works in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatricall performances of Chekhov's works will be available on Ariel.
Critical essays
V. Strada, Idea di Čechov, in Le veglie della ragione : miti e figure della letteratura russa da Dostoevskij a Pasternak, Torino, Einaudi, 1986
R. Peace, Il classicismo moderno di Čechov, in Anton Čechov. Antologia critica. A cura di E. Bazzarelli e F. Malcovati, Milano, LED, 1992
Some texts will be available on Ariel.
Unit C
Materials related to Unit c (slides, videoa) will be available on Ariel.
Program for non-attending students
Non-attending students will stick to the program for attending students, but in addition they will have to read:
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999.
In aggiunta ai capitoli indicati per i frequentanti, anche i capitoli: V. Borovsky, The emergence of the Russian theatre 1763-1800; K. Sealey Rahman, Aleksandr Ostrovsky - dramatist and director;
Anton Čechov. Antologia critica. A cura di E. Bazzarelli e F. Malcovati, LED 1992.
In aggiunta ai capitoli indicati per i frequentanti, anche i capitoli: S. Baluchatyj, Il gabbiano; Z.Papernyj, Tre sorelle; Z. Papernyj, Il giardino dei ciliegi, A.M. Repellino, Zio Vanja.
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 understand correctly in Russian at least three of Chekhov's works. 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.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)