Russian Theatre
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 key-texts and figures of the Russian 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 end of the nineteenth century. He will have in-depth knowledge of the main acting systems and theories of Russian masters of theatrical directing. At the end of module C the student will be acquainted with some of the main re-readings of Russian theatrical heritage given by Russian and Italian directors in recent years.
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: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is titled "Theatrical October: Avant-garde Russian Theater " and consists of the following three parts, which will be addressed sequentially:
a) General overview of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Gorky.
b) Theatrical October: Texts, Performances, Protagonists.
c) Tradition and Avant-garde in Contemporary Russian Theater.
Students who wish to earn 6 ECTS will follow the program of parts A and B. All students aiming for 9 ECTS will adhere to the complete program (parts A, B, and C). Part A will revisit the main milestones in the development of Russian drama from the late 18th century until the end of the Tsarist regime. Part B will examine the significant theatrical innovations that emerged in the post-revolutionary era's political, social, and cultural context, encompassing both repertoire and stage practices. The focus will be on the works of V. Mayakovsky and the directorial activities of V. Meyerhold, E. Vakhtangov, and A. Tairov. In Part C, recent Russian theater productions will be analyzed, which reinterpret revolutionary themes and theatrical languages, combining them with contemporary theatrical practices and modern technologies. This combination of historical and current elements creates an intergenerational dialogue and offers new perspectives on the revolution and its enduring impact on Russian society.
a) General overview of the history of Russian theater from its origins to Gorky.
b) Theatrical October: Texts, Performances, Protagonists.
c) Tradition and Avant-garde in Contemporary Russian Theater.
Students who wish to earn 6 ECTS will follow the program of parts A and B. All students aiming for 9 ECTS will adhere to the complete program (parts A, B, and C). Part A will revisit the main milestones in the development of Russian drama from the late 18th century until the end of the Tsarist regime. Part B will examine the significant theatrical innovations that emerged in the post-revolutionary era's political, social, and cultural context, encompassing both repertoire and stage practices. The focus will be on the works of V. Mayakovsky and the directorial activities of V. Meyerhold, E. Vakhtangov, and A. Tairov. In Part C, recent Russian theater productions will be analyzed, which reinterpret revolutionary themes and theatrical languages, combining them with contemporary theatrical practices and modern technologies. This combination of historical and current elements creates an intergenerational dialogue and offers new perspectives on the revolution and its enduring impact on Russian society.
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 on 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 indicated on Ariel.
Two texts from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
Unit B:
Mandatory readings:
V. V. Majakovskij, Mistero buffo
V. V. Majakovskij, La cimice
V. V. Majakovskij, Il bagno
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least two of works of Unit B in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatrical performances will be available on Ariel.
In addition, all students should bring a selection of critical essays, which will be made available on Ariel at the beginning of the course.
Some hard-to-find texts will be made available on the Ariel page of the course.
Materials related to Unit C (slides, videos) 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:
Three (and not two) texts from the list below:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
A. P. Čechov, Il giardino dei ciliegi
M. Gor'kij, I bassifondi
Additional chapters from A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999 (see Ariel)
Unit A:
A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. Chapters indicated on Ariel.
Two texts from the following list:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
Unit B:
Mandatory readings:
V. V. Majakovskij, Mistero buffo
V. V. Majakovskij, La cimice
V. V. Majakovskij, Il bagno
Students of Lingue e Letterature Europee ed extraeuropee will have to read at least two of works of Unit B in Russian.
Audio-visual materials on theatrical performances will be available on Ariel.
In addition, all students should bring a selection of critical essays, which will be made available on Ariel at the beginning of the course.
Some hard-to-find texts will be made available on the Ariel page of the course.
Materials related to Unit C (slides, videos) 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:
Three (and not two) texts from the list below:
A. S. Puškin, Boris Godunov
N. V. Gogol', L'ispettore generale
M. Ju. Lermontov. Un ballo in maschera
A. N. Ostrovskij, La foresta
A. P. Čechov, Il giardino dei ciliegi
M. Gor'kij, I bassifondi
Additional chapters from A History of Russian Theatre, ed. by R. Leach e V. Borovsky, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999 (see Ariel)
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 translate at least two works n Russian among those indicated. 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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)