Le feste e il teatro all'Isola Bella: allegrezze familiari e immagine politica della famiglia Borromeo fra Sei e Settecento

The essay studies festivals and theatre supported by the noble family Borromeo in the palace of Isola Bella (Lago Maggiore) from 1652 to the XVIIIth century. Naval festivals and naumachie were arranged on the occasion of family weddings during the second half of the XVIIth century. Since 1664 Count Vitaliano Borromeo organized also theatrical spectacles, intermedi, intermezzi, particularly operas, both in the gardens and in the palace, in honour of aristocratic guests. Some of the operas were produced in Lombardy (librettos by Carlo Maria Maggi, the most famous poet of the century in Milan), some were brought to the island from Rome. In 1666 a theatre with palchetti was built next to the palace. During the XVIIIth century the tradition of visits and spectacles in the Isola Bella continued: comedies and puppet theatre became the most appreciated genres to be staged