Herla Archives

The Herla Archives of the Fondazione Umberto Artioli, Mantova Capitale Europea dello Spettacolo (Mantova European Capital of Performing Arts) originated in January 1999 from a research and computer storage project still in progress, which aims to collect and file in an online database documents from Italian and European archives concerning shows and performances patronized by the Gonzaga in their heyday (1480-1630), with particular attention to the Commedia dell'Arte. Every document identified by the project researchers and available in full copy at the offices of the Foundation, is inventoried in a database called Herla, which, in addition to a description from the archival point of view, offers a brief abstract of the contents, as well as a series of general fields and categories to facilitate access. Herla does not give space only to large, spectacular events or famous personalities, but takes into account any information that falls within the context of theatre, as known from historical sources as well as original research. Not only court theatre, the Commedia dell'Arte, melodrama or the Jewish theatre, but all festive occasions that involve staging, often with the participation of actors, dancers and musicians and ranging from lavish weddings to triumphal entries, funeral celebrations, carnival masquerades and tournaments are included. The only distinction for the selection and cataloguing is that the documents should always show signs of a connection with the Gonzaga or their territory.


CONTACTS
Dr. Simona Brunetti
Project Manager Herla Archives and
Fondazione Umberto Artioli
Mantova Capitale Europea dello Spettacolo
Largo XXIV Maggio n. 13
46100 MANTOVA
tel. +39.0376.221259
fax +39.0376.323175
e-mail: fondazione@capitalespettacolo.it