Theater in Russia in the 18th Century: History and People

For a long time theatrical art flourished in our country . Skomorokhs cheered the people with songs and dances, and also played funny skits. At the fairs, the people shouted. And on the squares the strolling artists sang, danced and recited, entertaining the audience.

Two branches of art

The theater in Russia in the 18th century developed in two directions. Folk art continued the traditions of buffoons. Representations were arranged in the open air or in a special room - a booth.

The performances of the court theater were first documented during the reign of Mikhail Romanov, the founder of this dynasty on the Russian throne. The initiator of the new entertainment was boyar Artamon Matveyev. This man did a lot for the Russian state. He was the head of the Posolsky order - the Foreign Ministry of that time. Artamon Matveyev often went abroad. He was deeply involved in the culture of many countries and tried to instill in Russia some European traditions. Artamon Matveev is considered the first Westerner.

The founder of drama and directing

The theater in Russia in the 18th century would not have taken place without this multi-faceted man. On his behalf, a professional troupe was organized. And the first play shown in Russia was the biblical story about Artaxerxes. For royal entertainment was built a separate room. The Emperor liked the performance, and his author was generously awarded. So who was the first Russian playwright and director? History has kept his name. It was the German German Johann Gregory who lived in Moscow.

New entertainment has taken root very quickly. In many rich houses of that time, theaters worked. Actors were both free people and serfs.

The Great Epoch

The theater in Russia in the 18th century is associated with the name of Peter the Great. During his reign, art blossomed. Peter often invited foreign tour companies to Russia. They not only showed new performances, but also carried progressive ideas, inspiring Russian authors. Peter built a theater on Red Square. Later it was destroyed.

The theater in Russia in the 18th century developed not only in Moscow, but also in St. Petersburg. At the court of Anna Ioannovna opened an institution with Russian actors. The play for him was written by the famous playwright Alexander Sumarokov.

Further development

Under Elizaveta Petrovna appeared the so-called imperial theaters. These state institutions existed at the expense of the treasury. Director of the Imperial Theater on Vasilievsky Island was Sumarokov.

The theater of the 18th century in Russia continued its development during the reign of Catherine II. Several professional troupes worked at her court. A special position was occupied by Italian opera singers. The Russian drama troupe also worked. During this period the theater ceased to be purely palace entertainment. In the city, public entertainment institutions were opened, in which both Russian and foreign artists worked.

Creativity of Ivan Dmitrevsky

The theater of the 18th century in Russia knows the names of illustrious entrepreneurs: Titov, Belmonti, Medox. At this time, the existence of landlord troupes continues to exist in provinces where serf artists play. Ivan Dmitrevsky was an excellent actor. He made an outstanding career. In the first professional Russian troupe Volkov young Dmitrevsky played female roles. Later he became the main actor of the Imperial Theater on Vasilievsky Island. To improve her skills, Catherine II sent Dmitrevsky abroad. In Paris, he studied the game of the famous tragedian Leken, and in London he watched performances with the participation of the great Garrick. Returning to St. Petersburg, Dmitrevsky opened a theatrical school. Later he became the chief inspector of the imperial entertainment establishments.

Main development trends

Theater in the 18th century in Russia can be briefly described as a classic. This direction prevailed in Europe in the 17th century. In the subsequent period, classicism was replaced by more democratic creativity of the Enlightenment. Russian art of the 18th century gravitated toward rationality, the genre hierarchy and strict canons. Theatrical plays were strictly divided into tragedies and comedies. Their mixing was not allowed.

The theater and music of the 18th century in Russia were inextricably linked. Opera was, perhaps, the most popular entertainment. Italian singers appeared at the court of Anna Ioannovna. The first libretto in Russian was written by Alexander Sumarokov. The classical opera, like the drama, gravitated toward a strict division of genres. Tragic works were composed in Italian traditions and were distinguished by sublime music. Comedies, considered a secondary genre, were associated with the Russian traditions of fairground farce. Distinctive features of such merry operas are conversational dialogues and song musical numbers. Works for the theater were written by composers Sokolovsky, Pashkevich, Bortnyansky. The operas were performed in French and Russian.

New trends

The theater of the 18th and 19th centuries in Russia developed in the channel of the Enlightenment. In 1782, Denis Fonvizin's comedy "The Minor" was seen in the scene. Satire's modern Russian society was first shown so talently by the author. The descriptions of the upper class of the time Fonvizin described with astonishing accuracy. Evil Prostakova, her stupid husband and son Mitrofanushka brought the author his lifetime fame. Wise judgments Starodum about honor and dignity and today excite the audience. Despite the conventionality of the characters, they have sincerity and expressiveness. The play of Fonvizin was read by Pushkin, Gogol and other writers. It is admired by many generations of spectators. "Nedorosl" still occupies an honorable place in the repertoire of the leading theaters of the country. This work is written in gold letters in the history of Russian literature.