Exhibition "Theater Illusion". On the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Gonzaga Theater in Arkhangelsk "

August 8 at the Main House of the Theater Museum. A.A. Bakhrushin opens the exhibition "Theater Illusion", dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Gonzaga Theater in Arkhangelsk and organized jointly with the State Museum-Estate "Arkhangelsk".

The Gonzaga Theater was created by the Italian artist and decorator Pietro di Gottardo Gonzago / Gonzaga / (1751 - 1831) by order of the owner of the estate, Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov (1750-1831) and is today one of the few ancient theaters in the world not affected by late reconstructions.

Gonzaga was an outstanding theater decorator, the first theater artist in the modern sense of the word, who came to Russia at the invitation of the prince and created the scenery for many productions in the imperial theaters. Thanks to N. B. Yusupov, the Italian artist also managed to realize the talent of the architect: in 1810, the prince acquired the Arkhangelskoye estate and commissioned the theater project to Pietro Gonzage.

The name of the exhibition contains various interpretations of the concept of "illusion." According to Pietro Gonzaga, the goal of the theater is to create an impressive illusion, the "joy of illusion." In addition, over time, the famous performance of Gonzagi scenery turned into a legend. The "ghost theater", which many have heard of, but few have seen, has become yet another "illusion."

The exposition will be divided into two broad thematic sections: 1- Yusupov and Gonzaga against the background of the theater culture of the late XVIII - the first third of the XIX centuries. and 2- Gonzaga Theater in Arkhangelsk. Thus, the first hall will tell visitors about the personality of Prince Yusupov, a talented theater "producer" who organized a home theater and formed a strong serf troupe. The exhibition will feature a pictorial portrait of N. B. Yusupov, portraits of serf actors, engravings, illustrated albums with images of actors and types of theaters, rare books with valuable binding / including unique editions from the Yusupov library /, libretto, gusli, materials for the famous Entreprise of the Italian Opera in Moscow, drawings by artists Bibiena, Valeliani, drawings of the future theater in Argangelskoye, architectural model of the theater / 2011. / and other documents from the estate funds.

The second hall of the exhibition space will be dedicated to the theater built by Pietro Gonzaga. Here visitors will see color graphics depicting Gonzaga’s scenery, elements of theatrical machinery and props, stage lamps, wall lamps from the auditorium, a portrait of Alexander I, sketches of programs, photographs from different years. All exhibits, including graphics and rare books, will be presented in originals. Also at the exhibition will be shown an engraving of J. B. Piranesi from the archive of the Theater Museum. A.A. Bakhrushin.