KAYOKO AOKI

This is the second part of the study on two theaters for comedies built in 1581 in Venice and closed in 1586, by researching the manuscripts kept in the Archivio di Stato di Venezia. The purpose of this thesis is to clarify the forms and the function of these theaters, according to consideration of the characteristics on the parish of San Cassiano. In addition, the usage of the term "teatro" in documents are pointed out to reveal the position of two theaters in the theatrical history of Italian Renaissance.

Two theaters for comedies built in the parish of San Cassiano, Venice in 1581 are studied in this paper by researching the manuscripts kept in the Archivio di Stato di Venezia. They are commonly known as one of the oldest theaters in Europe. However, because of lack of buildings and visual materials, it is still difficult to clarify their forms and the functions. In addition, the documents like the records of the Council of Ten do not give us sufficient information. In this study, the nobles who owned these theaters and actors are pointed out, then their purposes of the play and their roles as constructor are examined through the manuscripts to reveal the theatrical context of the late 16th century Venice