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- Title
The Controversy over the Morality of the Theatre in Early Enlightenment France.
- Authors
Braun, Theodore E. D.
- Abstract
This article covers about sixty years of debate in France concerning the morality of the theatre. It begins with an examination of strong negative criticism by Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, and Father Pierre Lebrun, who in essence could find no justification for theatrical productions; indeed, the Church condemned the theatre over the centuries and refused burial in consecrated cemeteries to actors and actresses. They were answered, in the course of the following fifty years, by a host of critics, most of whom were themselves members of the clergy. They did, however, all suggest various reforms of the theatre. In 1751, Le Franc de Pompignan joined the fray, supporting a reformed theatre, and went so far as to create a new genre, moral opera. The article ends with a brief analysis of these operas. The debate continued for at least another century.
- Subjects
FRANCE; THEATER &; ethics; THEATER; REIGN of Louis XIV, France, 1643-1715; BOSSUET, Jacques Benigne, 1627-1704; CATHOLIC Church; THEATER history
- Publication
Restoration & 18th Century Theatre Research, 2014, Vol 29, Issue 1, p57
- ISSN
0034-5822
- Publication type
Article