Brighella  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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Brighella (Frenchis: Brighelle) is a comic, masked character from the Commedia dell'arte. His early costume consisted of loosely fitting, white smock and pants with green trim and was often equipped with a batocio (also batacchio or battacio, depending on region) or slap stick, or else with a wooden sword. Later he took to wearing a sort of livery with a matching cape. He wore a greenish half-mask (traditionally olive-green) displaying a look of preternatural lust and greed. It is distinguished by a hook nose and thick lips, along with a thick twirled mustache to give him an offensive characteristic.

Variants

A list of variations of the character, according to Duchartre, are:

• Beltrame: from the 17th century, a "wilfully blind husband and rascal as crafty as Brighella." He was Milanese and spoke the local dialect. As part of his costume he apparently wore a distinctive large tunic.
• Scapin, or Scapino: A much more nervous and cowardly version of Brighella.
• Truccagnino: See Fenocchio.
• Mezzetino: A gentler version of Brighella, fond of the ladies even if they were not fond of him.
• Fenocchio: More prone to playing pranks than committing serious intrigues, he otherwise shared Brighella's fondness for malice.
• Flautino: A musical Brighella, often singing a cappella. Actor Giovanni Gherard, in this role, was able to perform the part of an entire orchestra with his voice alone.
• Sbrigani: Sometimes the exact opposite of Brighella, otherwise an identical character; like twins. Frequently appeared alongside Brighella onstage.
• Franca Trippa, Francatrippa or Francatrippe: created in the late 16th century, spoke a mixture of Bolognese and Tuscan dialects. An upper-class Brighella. Could be capable of gymnastic or other physical feats.
• Turlupin or Tirelupin: A French Brighella created by Henri Legrand. The name means, according to Duchartre, "unlucky". However, the Oxford English Dictionary mentions an etymology relating to a cult that modelled themselves on the Cynics and lived off of lupins that they gathered (tiraient). The character was reputedy fond of vulgar wordplay.
• Gandolin: A French Brighella, very fond of wordplay and puns. Sometimes wears a fur-lined plumed hat.
• Fritellino or Fristelin: see Francatrippa.
• Sgnarelle: A chronic drunk.
• Bagatino
• Gradelino
• Pasquariel
• Buffet
• Gian Fritello
• Narcisino
• Grattelard
• Mascarille
• La Montagne
• Frontin
• Labranche
• Figaro: as created by Beaumarchais. See Le Barbier de Séville.