Giorgio Strehler: The Legacy of a Modern Theatre Pioneer
Giorgio Strehler, a prominent figure in 20th-century Italian theatre, was born in Trieste on August 14, 1921. After World War II, he revolutionized Italian theatre by incorporating innovative techniques inspired by Bertolt Brecht. His approach to 'critical directing' focused on historical research to capture the essence of original performances. Strehler graduated from the Accademia dei Filodrammatici in Milan and began his directing career in university theatre and Switzerland, establishing the Compagnie des Masques during the war. In 1947, he co-founded the Piccolo Teatro di Milano, which debuted on May 14 with Gorky's 'The Lower Depths.' He directed the Théâtre de l'Europe starting in 1989, founded the Union of Theatres of Europe in 1990, and was awarded the Europe Theatre Prize. He passed away in Lugano on Christmas night 1997.
Key facts
- Giorgio Strehler was born in Trieste on August 14, 1921.
- He was influenced by Bertolt Brecht's revolutionary ideas on theatre.
- He founded the Piccolo Teatro di Milano in 1947 with Paolo Grassi and Nina Vinchi.
- The Piccolo Teatro opened on May 14 with Gorky's 'The Lower Depths'.
- In 1985, the French government gave him the Théâtre de l'Odéon, which became the Théâtre de l'Europe.
- In 1990, he co-founded the Union of Theatres of Europe with Jack Lang.
- He received the Europe Theatre Prize in 1990.
- He was awarded the Legion of Honour and an honorary degree from the University of Pavia in 1992.
- He died on December 25, 1997, in Lugano during rehearsals for Mozart's 'Così fan tutte'.
- The Teatro Strehler in Milan is named in his honour.
Entities
Artists
- Giorgio Strehler
- Bertolt Brecht
- Paolo Grassi
- Nina Vinchi
- Maksim Gorky
- Eduardo De Filippo
- Giulia Lazzarini
- Jack Lang
- François Mitterrand
- Renzo Tian
- Peter Selem
- Luigi Ciminaghi
- Beatrice Obertini
Institutions
- Piccolo Teatro di Milano
- Accademia dei Filodrammatici
- Compagnie des Masques
- Milano Sera
- Teatro alla Scala
- Théâtre de l'Odéon
- Théâtre de l'Europe
- Union of Theatres of Europe
- Italian Socialist Party
- Independent Left
- University of Pavia
- Teatro Strehler
- Artspecialday
- MIfacciodiCultura
Locations
- Trieste
- Italy
- Milan
- Switzerland
- Paris
- France
- Lugano
- Via Rovello
- Largo Greppi