Goldoni, the Freemasons and the Mysteries: the female discovery trope in 18th century theatre

Classics and Ancient History Tutor at St Anne's College, Oxford, Matthew Leigh is particularly interested in the comedies of Carlo Goldoni (1707–93), whose play, A Servant of Two Masters had a successful recent West End and Broadway revival as One Man, Two Guv’nors, staring James Corden. Goldoni's Le donne curiose (1753) is one of several French and Italian dramas responding to the extraordinary growth of freemasonry across Europe after the foundation of the London Grand Lodge in 1717. It demonstrates a close affinity with Pierre Clément's Les fri-maçons (Paris, 1737) and Francesco Griselini's I liberi muratori (Venice, 1754). This free talk examines how such plays introduce key features of masonic ceremonies and how they identify with a continuation of ancient mysteries. The discovery trope in 18th century drama may originate from the initiation in c.1712 of Elizabeth St. Leger (later Aldworth) in an Irish Lodge, after she was discovered observing a meeting.

Suitable for
18+
16-17

Admission
Free event but please book a ticket at https://freemasonrymuseum.eventbrite.co.uk

Website
http://freemasonry.london.museum/events/

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/am12129?id=EVENT585244