musica - Studia

THEATRICAL LIFE AND REPERTOIRE OF THE MARIONETTE THEATRE OF ESTERHÁZ
Fig. 1
Gaetano Pesci: The South View of the Castle of Esterház (1779-1780) 23
The formal opening of the opera house – more luxurious and expensive
than the previous one – was held on 15 October, the birthday of Maria Theresa,
but it was unsuitable for performances until February 1781.
Events of 1781
In 1781, the official title of theatre-manager passed from Travaglia to
Nunziato Porta, who figures as manager in the subsequent history of the
Esterháza operas. Beyond being an exemplary and conscientiously accurate
administrator, Porta excelled as a permanent playwright for the Esterház
theatre, and marionette theatre.
Events of 1782
According to records, Traetta’s Il cavaliere errante was staged in the
marionette theatre with the subtitle: “als Marionettenspiel mit Puppen im
Marionettentheater”. 24
23 Source: http://www.nemzetimuemlekek.hu/index.php/epulet/tuendervilag Downloaded: 11.09.2010.
24 Landon, Haydn’s Marionette Operas, 1962, p. 193.
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