More than a century ago, Belinsky in his article “Do you like the theater” confessed his love to this type of art. Perhaps this is the only monologue that has become the motto of all fans of the ancient Greek muses of Melpomene and Talia. In ancient times, it was believed that it was the gods who wrote the scripts, and people performed the roles prescribed by him. Centuries have passed since the actors began to play performances in front of the audience. Since then, much has changed: the form of spectacles has become different, and the concept of "chamber theater" today does not surprise anyone. However, how many people know about the history of this phenomenon?
Etymology of collocation
The word "chamber" owes its origin to the English term "chamber" and its close spelling in French "chambre". Both of these concepts meant a room, that is, a small-sized room where a narrow circle of people could fit.
The word "theater" has an ancient Greek origin. And it means "a place for spectacles," as well as the actual performance or performance.
So what is a chamber theater? This is a small room designed for performances that can be seen by a narrow circle of people. By the way, the theater also has a third meaning - "see."
Chamber theaters in Russia
Before the revolution, Russian patrons and grandees, who were fans of this art form, staged small performances in their homes. They probably knew what a chamber theater was, or maybe it was just a whim: to have a hall for performances and the ability to control the creative process.
One way or another, a smaller copy of the Bolshoi Theater was with the Yusupov princes in their mansion on the Moika, where 150 seats were provided for spectators.
The history of the building in St. Petersburg, located at the intersection of Nevsky and Bolshaya Morskaya Street, is interesting. Now this is the building number 16 on Nevsky Prospect. Once there was the London Hotel, and it was in it that Emperor Joseph II stayed, who came incognito at the invitation of Catherine II in 1781. Then the mansion changed many owners and had a different purpose: in 1890 the name “musical house” was assigned to the building, and the St. Petersburg Society of Musical Assemblies settled here. And next to him was the Directorate of Symphony Concerts, established by Count A. D. Sheremetyev.
The choir and orchestra created by the count were considered the best in Russia. Before the revolution, A. D. Sheremetyev decided to create an opera house on the territory of the "musical house". The beginning was laid: the importance of chamber theater for the count was undeniable, and rehearsals were also held. But soon A. D. Sheremetyev died, then the revolutionary masses put an end to this undertaking. Today, the former "music house" houses shops and law firms.
Chamber ballet. Private atmosphere
Now we turn to the question of the device of the chamber theater. What is a performance in a regular institution? It can only consist of a play of actors or, depending on the intention of the author of the production, supplemented by the performance of the ballet troupe.
The stage in the chamber theater is small, proportional to the total area of the entire room. Often it is not located on an elevation, but is in the same plane with the auditorium. In such a theater, ballet will be chamber. However, in duration it can be either three-part or one-act. Just the scale of the spectacle will be designed for a private atmosphere due to the reduced composition of the corps de ballet and orchestra. However, this will not affect the quality of the impressions: the audience feels their involvement in the action taking place on the stage.
Miniature shapes
The theater of miniatures is loved by many. But not everyone knows that it is another form of chamber theater. What such a direction exists, the Soviet audience learned in 1939. And since then fell in love. The personal professional variety theater was opened in Leningrad at that time. Today the old building is protected by the state: back in 1828, A. S. Pushkin wrote the poem "Poltava" here.
In addition, since 2002, the theater has been named after its artistic director Arkady Raikin. Which led the team from 1943 to 1983.
What is a chamber theater, we kind of figured it out. However, for many, another question is difficult. What is its difference from the theater of miniatures? Viewers of the older generation still remember the famous "Zucchini 13 Chairs", where several scenes were played, interwoven into the overall plan of the mini-performance.
Each episode was concise in form and completed in content, and from 2 to 5 actors took part in it. This is something like a nesting doll.
However, there are no fundamental differences between these two forms: it can be considered that the chamber theater is the same institution with intimacy. This is its main similarity with other forms. Such as the theater of miniatures or intimate, which is widespread abroad.
Chamber version of the orchestra
The concept of "chamber orchestra" has a longer history, which dates back to the 17th century. Then these musical groups performed music intended to please the hearing of the duke or other territorial ruler, who contained the musicians at his own expense. By the way, Johann Sebastian Bach composed his works and played the violin, being part of the ducal chamber orchestra. There were few musicians in such groups: from 4 to 12 people. The style of performance was dictated by the owner of the orchestra.
With the onset of the 19th century, chamber orchestras gradually lost their primacy to symphony ones. However, today the situation is changing.
So, you have learned what “chamber theater” means, and what are its distinctive features. However, theoretical knowledge alone is clearly not enough. You will be able to appreciate the chamber atmosphere only by becoming part of the theatrical action.