Gaetano Grossatesta: coreografo-impresario al Real Teatro di San Carlo durante il Regno Borbonico

Abstract

Gaetano Grossatesta is one of the protagonists of the 18th century dance world. In Naples, where he has been working since 1745, the artist performs an intense theatrical activity, working as choreographer and impresario of Real Teatro San Carlo. Sensitive to the tastes of the Neapolitan spectators and to innovation of the 18th century dance scene, he commits himself to start a process of innovation of dance in Naples. This study aims to highlight the his work, investigating his activity and Neapolitan biography through a research perspective supported by important and unpublished archival documents — decisive for the identification of his managerial activity — and by the analysis of innumerable opera-librettos, useful for recognize the working methods of Grossatesta on the scene.