Performing Arts in the Austrian 18th Century: New Directions in Historical and Methodological Research

In the 18th century, for the first time people reflected on the craft of acting. Theater became a 'métier', the mirror of a perfect society, for the use of political systems. The contributors to this volume address this role and also the strikingly international orientation of the theater at that time, in which language was subordinate to the artistic aspects of scenography (painting), music, dance and stagecraft. The overwhelming thrust was towards the worlds of reflection and morality. The contributors show how, in this way, the ideal and imaginary world of the theater inevitably unraveled the culture which was until that time dominated by an international aristocracy.