In 1783, W. A. Mozart composed the music and plot for a commedia dell’arte pantomime intended for Vienna’s upcoming carnival season. Although written for string quartet, only the first violin part and the sketchiest outline of his scenario survive. In this session, University of Chicago faculty present an excerpt of Mozart’s pantomime and a conversation centered on opera and laughter as they relate to performance, audience, politics, and improvisational comedy in the 18th century. Participants include faculty members Martha Feldman, David Levin, and Roger Moseley. The ensemble Impromptu performs the pantomime. Directed by Moseley, Impromptu comprises student and faculty participants of the university’s ongoing historically inspired musical improvisation workshop.
Singer dressed as Pagliacci, from the Library of Congress.