During the Renaissance, the Duchy of Ferrara was one of the most important centres for the development of the Italian theatre in the context of the cultural renewal of humanism in the entire peninsula. After a fertile period of experimentation in the field of classical theatre that gave rise to the two genres of tragedy and pastoral, a new era began in the age of Alfonso II d’Este (1559-1597) with the creation of the chivalric festivals called “cavallerie ferraresi” (1560-1570). Resulting from a long and brilliant evolution of courtly spectacles combined with the duke’s taste for sports and military affairs, the “cavallerie ferraresi” had an immediate and resounding impact in all Italian courts (e.g. the torneo Altemps at the Vatican, 1565). These spectacles took on their exceptional value from the richness of the literary and dramatic themes, drawn from the chivalric texts, that framed and determined the organisation of the tournament, both from an artistic point of view and in terms of warrior competition.

Thanks to the rich content of the librettos of the “cavallerie”, we have the detailed description of each tournament followed by the full explanation of its allegorical meaning, both aspects that have been widely studied to date. However, little attention has been paid to the identity of the people mentioned in these documents, most of whom are still anonymous to this day.

By examining the libretto of the “cavalleria” ‘Isola Beata’ held in 1569, and a unique drawing of the “naumachia (ancient naval battle)” held during the performance, the paper will try to bring back to life some of these figures, such as antiquarians, painters, craftsmen and actors, and to illustrate their contribution to the Festival, through visual and written sources. All of them worked hard, behind the scenes, and sometimes at the cost of their lives, to ensure the success of these extraordinary spectacles and consequently, the glory of the Duke.

Special seminar delivered by Professor Ginette Vagenheim from the Université de Rouen-Normandie.