SKU: 49429830900

Making a Play for God: The Sacre Rappresentazioni of Renaissance Florence

Sale price$58.50 Regular price$65.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $16.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 9 - Aug 14

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Making a Play for God: The Sacre Rappresentazioni of Renaissance FlorenceOverview Playful pleasure or devout piety? Why did Florentines invest so much effort in the performance of sacre rappresentazioni, their dramatizations of the life of Christ and the saints, the history of Mans Salvation from the Creation to the Last Judgement, Old and New Testament stories, and miracles of the Virgin? Drawing on manuscript and printed plays, confraternal and communal archives, chronicles and letters, this study explores in fine detail

Overview

Playful pleasure or devout piety? Why did Florentines invest so much effort in the performance of sacre rappresentazioni, their dramatizations of the life of Christ and the saints, the history of Man’s Salvation from the Creation to the Last Judgement, Old and New Testament stories, and miracles of the Virgin?

Drawing on manuscript and printed plays, confraternal and communal archives, chronicles and letters, this study explores in fine detail and with careful attention to chronology the performance groups and their motives, and the financing, staging, and reception of their plays. Woven into this exploration is an account of the transmission of the plays first in manuscript and later in print, with woodcuts that have guaranteed their survival to the present day.

Nerida Newbigin is an Emeritus Professor in Italian Studies at the University of Sydney. Since retirement, she has published, with Barbara Wisch, Acting on Faith: The Confraternity of the Gonfalone in Renaissance Rome (2013) and, with Kathleen Olive, a critical edition of the Codice Rustici (2015).

1039 pp. + 194 ill.
ISBN: 978-0-7727-2493-9 softcover, 2 vols. set
Published: 2021

Contents

Volume 1

Acknowledgements
Transcriptions and Other Essentials
Illustrations

Introduction
1. The Manuscript Evidence of Florentine Sacre Rappresentazioni
2. Plays in Churches
3. Youth Confraternities and Their Plays
4. Edifici for the Feast of St. John the Baptist
5. Playing Outdoors
6. Antonia Pulci, Antonio Miscomini, and the Transition to Print

Volume 2

7. Defying Anonymity: Belcari, Poliziano, Bellincioni, and Lorenzo de’ Medici
8. Bartolomeo de’ Libri, Antonio Miscomini, and the Illustrated Editions
9. Savonarola and Beyond: Castellano Castellani
10. The Afterlife of the Plays

Tables
1 Rappresentazioni and Frottole in Manuscript
2 Printed Rappresentazioni
3 Major Collectors and Sales
Appendix
Cited Works
Index

Praise

Winner of the 2022 David Bevington Award from the Medieval and Renaissance Drama Society for best new book in early drama studies.

“This volume is the summa studiorum of Italian sacred theatre. Newbigin has assembled a vast array of sources (archival, textual, and iconographic) that allow the reader to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the sacre rappresentazioni of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Florence.” — Gianni Cicali, Georgetown University

Making a Play for God is an innovative study that offers the most comprehensive treatment of all the known Florentine mystery and miracle plays and playwrights, the performances, and their reception and editorial history. The research is impec- cable, much is new, and it is a pleasure to read. The author’s knowledge of the field is unmatched, her accomplishment unrivaled.” — Elissa Weaver, University of Chicago

Reviews

"The two-volume set is encyclopedic, in many ways definitive, and consequently of broad interest not only to theater historians, but also to scholars of premodern religious art, literary studies, and codicology in manuscript and early print, as well as gender, patronage, and political economy. This review cannot do justice to the riches of the volumes, which include a comprehensive set of supplementary tables."  — Alison Frazier, University of Texas at Austin, in Church History (92, Issue 2).

"Ultimately, the greatest merit of these two volumes is perhaps that of recapitulating the state of the art of studies on the subject at the moment, not acting as an endpoint, but rather as a beginning: the author herself often indicates the theories that should be rediscussed and those that would need more evidence, drawn from studies as broad as possible and not limited to the written text, and which may also involve 'a new generation of scholars in Italy and abroad'” Andrea Quaini, University of Wisconsin – Madison, in Quaderni d’italianistica 43.2 (2022), pp. 247-249.

“Thanks to the author’s multidisciplinary research, these two volumes stand out for their absolute wealth of content, which ranges simultaneously across socio-cultural, political, literary, historical-bibliographical and historical-bibliographical and historical-artistic levels, and their very useful paratextual tools.” (Translated from the Italian original). Stefano Cassini, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, in L’almanacco bibliografico 66 (June 2023), pp. 9-10. 

“This work is a treasure trove for anyone wishing to understand the richness of the Florentine sacred representations: a milestone both from a methodological point of view and for the information gathered. Useful finally, for scholars and theatres that would like to stage them again.” (translated from the Italian original). Francesca Fantappiè, Università degli Studi di Milano, in Archivio Storico Italiano 180.4 (2022): 773-779

“No scholar in the field can afford to ignore this study. The riches that are unhistrionically revealed here make the Florentine tradition accessible to a much wider audience than heretofore, such that the tradition’s inclusion in even undergraduate courses becomes a real possibility.” Pamela M. King, University of Glasgow, in Comparative Drama, 56.4 (2022): 428-434.

“In Making a Play for God, Nerida Newbigin draws together her extensive research over almost five decades, and a century of scholarship by others, to provide a definitive new understanding of the evolution of Florentine sacre rappresentazioni over the course of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.” Carolyn James, Monash University, in Spunti e Ricerche 36 (2021): 107-110. 

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 49429830900

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 15 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
L
Verified Purchase
lee thomas
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
A classic
Format: Mass Market Paperback
The Once and Future King is a saga I didn't want to end. There's enough in it to read it again, and again. The paperback squeezes 4 books into a volume you can carry in a purse, but unless you're traveling, I would recommend buying the books separately, with illustrations.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2026
Z
Verified Purchase
Zoeeagleeye
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
The Once and Future TH White
This book is in my lifetime top ten list. I've read it three times. Its pages are full of wisdom, humor, mysticism and hard life, an unbeatable combination. I call the story "a hopeful tragedy." For sure it is a high tragedy up to Greek levels and then some. And yet it's hopefulness lies in King Arthur's ability to continue deepening, learning, reaching for the goodness that he still believes is in every person. Someone said that The Once and Future King was the "Harry Potter" of its day. While I love the Harry Potter series, Rowling is no T.H. White. Her writing is a serviceable yeoman's march compared with White's kingly, profound, sometimes soaring performance. Harry changes very little as he grows up, while his supporting characters seem to stay exactly the same. Not so with Arthur. He changes before our very eyes, sometimes not for the better, as does Lancelot, Guinever and others. Though both tales are mythological, White's story feels real and gets us deep down in the bowels of our conscience, our morality and our fears. Eventually, it provokes compassion, allowing us to become more forgiving of ourselves and others. Not a bad way to live in the world. When you really learn something, you become a different person. You will really learn something from The Once and Future King, making T.H. the Once and Future White.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2009
P
Verified Purchase
P. Smith
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 3
Not what I expected
Format: Mass Market Paperback
I love stories about King Arthur and that time period in general. I really looked forward to this book because of the high ratings and my special interest in the subject. There was a lot to like about the book. The author was imaginative and, at times, the writing and characters came alive. I have to say sometimes it was kind of like riding in an old car over a road filled with pot holes -- I kept getting shook out of the story by either references to things not from that time period or the endless social commentary that seemed to be the real point in the author writing the story. By about halfway I was wondering why he didn't give up on the story and just write a philosophy book. He wasn't being subtle. I just wanted to get back to the action and felt like I was being preached at through the narrator and the characters. I also love historical details but be aware that this author tends to mention armor and then go on and on for a while to explain it down to the tiniest detail - same with jousting - the details of what the men are wearing as fashion - what is hanging in the room - and so on. As for the characters, it was sad to see Arthur diminish to being almost a shadow or joke near the end. The glorious king who was supposed to be so strong appeared to have no power to do anything and even allowed himself to have no voice in his own court (Gawaine did the talking). He didn't have any real presence after the very beginning though - not even as a tragic character until the very end. The author didn't make him feel like a real person in what is supposed to be his story. Arthur is the shadow between Lancelot and Gwen (or Jenny), Arthur is the go-between for the vengeful knights in his failing efforts to keep peace... He stands back hoping something will happen to stop the burning of his wife... he is not instigating but moderating action. He is even described as plain, shuffling... Not the grand King Arthur. Merlyn was a joke as well. His magic was more like a Disney cartoon special than anything resembling Arthurian legend and the constant references to things from the future (or Merlyn's past if you buy him living backwards) kept yanking me out of the "story world" and the other characters almost never reacted to it - as if it were normal. He leaves soon after Arthur becomes king and never comes back (you know the whole locked in the cave thing). The character most fleshed out is Lancelot. The author spends a great deal of time into his motives, feelings and actions through almost the entire book. If it weren't for the very beginning, you might be able to make an argument that more is written of Lancelot than of Arthur. Lancelot seems stronger, more driven and more clearly defined nearly at all times in the book. You know what he wants and how far he'll go to get it. In the end I am glad I read it, but it isn't my favorite Arthurian book and I doubt I'll read it again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2010
D
Verified Purchase
David Seth Michaels
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
A Classic
Format: Mass Market Paperback
A classic that deserves to be re-read to our children and grandchildren
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
Cindy Adair
Draper, US
★★★★★ 4
A challenging read
Every now and then I challenge myself with a classic. This one was definitely that - a challenge. Allow me to explain. First, this is the story of King Arthur. All the characters are present: Gweniviere, Lancelot, Merlin, the Knights of the Round Table, the sword in the stone, Mordred, and all the ones I’d ever heard of in retellings-of the story. However, many were not as good, bad, beautiful, handsome, or courageous and pure of heart as I’d been led to imagine. These characters were messy and deep with honor and dishonor battling within them. But there was a quiet strength and desire to do good about them. So, this book challenged my preconceived images of these characters. Second, this book is long. It is divided into four parts. The first two parts were more familiar (maybe) and were a little easier to read. They told of Arthur’s early education under Merlin, pulling the sword from the stone, and establishing the Round Table - the glory days. Part three tackles the love triangle between Arthur, a Gwen, and Lancelot; the quest for the Holy Grail; and the rise of Mordred. Part four got a little tedious describing the fall of Arthur’s reign, the destructive force of lies and secrets, and the power of evil. This section challenged me with some very deep theological and philosophical musings amid the battles among friends and family. Finally, this book is written using a Middle English wordings and geographic dialect. I had to look up many words (not all definitions could be found) to really understand some things, but was generally able to follow the story. The author also frequently talked directly to the reader which took some getting used to. The writing style definitely challenged my vocabulary and ability to follow transitions from author speaking to characters. One last thing, the ending was left somewhat open to interpretation and imagination. I choose to believe the happiest of the possible outcomes. I’m glad I read this book, but i think I’ll go read something a little easier next!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2020

recommand products