Theatre History Overview - Part 70 - Italian Intermezzi

Italian Intermezzi (singlular: Intermezzo) came from the tradition of the maschereata. The maschereata was a dance performed at carnival time. It was performed by costumed dancers and often pantomimed Greek and Roman themes.

The intermezzi got their name because they were performed between the acts of a play. Inter means between and mezzo means half or middle. The performance took place between the two acts or in the middle of the play. The lights, scenery, costumes, and special effects were the appeals of intermezzi. In general, they did not use dialogue. However, there were rare times when alligorical plots had to be explained.

Intermezzi were often used to pay elaborate compliments to people. They would often be performed at functions such as weddings, births, and betrothals. They would draw comparisons between the persons being complimented and mythological figures.

Sometimes intermezzi took place between every act of a play. Eventually, the intermezzi grew to be more popular than the plays themselves. The requirements of quick setting changes from play to intermezzi or within intermezzi encouraged the development of new devices for scene changes. In the 17th century, intermezzi were eventually absorbed into Italian opera.

While intermezzi are not common today, the first relatable idea to them are entr'actes (French for "between the acts") that had a musical act play to keep the audience from becoming restless during a scene change between acts. This has developed into the modern intermission.

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