Sandrone
Encyclopedia
Sandrone is the traditional mask and character of the Commedia dell'arte
representing the city of Modena
.
who is crude, clever, and cunning. He is seen as the spokesman of a humble people who are ill-treated, eternally hungry, and always using tricks to make ends meet. The character of his wife, Pulonia, appears in 1840, soon followed by a son Sgorghiguelo. The three form what is known as the Pavironica family.
Initially, these characters were presented as puppets. Beginning in the late 1800s the three were represented by male actors known as "the Pulonia". Dressed in a style of clothing popular around 1700, Sandrone sports a corduroy
jacket, short corduroy pants, red and white cross-striped socks, flowers, a vest, and sturdy farmer's boots. He also wears a wig with long hair, partly covered by a white wool nightcap ending in a tassel.
His son (Sgorghiguelo) wears a wig and a reddish brown cap with a visor. His wife (Pulonia) wears a white hat and an ankle length dress decorated with brightly colored flowers. She may also wear a white apron, black patent leather shoes with bright buckles, and a white wig with ringlets.
For over a century these three characters have been a symbol of Carnival
in Modena. The tradition is kept alive by the Society of Sandrone. Every year, the Thursday before Lent
, Sandrone and his family arrive at the train station from the imaginary village of Bosco di Sotto. From there, they parade to the Piazza Grande where the crowd witnesses the traditional "sproloquio," a speech spoken in traditional Modenese dialect by the three from a balcony of the Palazzo Comunale. The speech includes witty comments on city life and humorous criticism of local authorities.
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
representing the city of Modena
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
.
Origin
Sandrone, is represented as a peasantPeasant
A peasant is an agricultural worker who generally tend to be poor and homeless-Etymology:The word is derived from 15th century French païsant meaning one from the pays, or countryside, ultimately from the Latin pagus, or outlying administrative district.- Position in society :Peasants typically...
who is crude, clever, and cunning. He is seen as the spokesman of a humble people who are ill-treated, eternally hungry, and always using tricks to make ends meet. The character of his wife, Pulonia, appears in 1840, soon followed by a son Sgorghiguelo. The three form what is known as the Pavironica family.
Initially, these characters were presented as puppets. Beginning in the late 1800s the three were represented by male actors known as "the Pulonia". Dressed in a style of clothing popular around 1700, Sandrone sports a corduroy
Corduroy
Corduroy is a textile composed of twisted fibers that, when woven, lie parallel to one another to form the cloth's distinct pattern, a "cord." Modern corduroy is most commonly composed of tufted cords, sometimes exhibiting a channel between the tufts...
jacket, short corduroy pants, red and white cross-striped socks, flowers, a vest, and sturdy farmer's boots. He also wears a wig with long hair, partly covered by a white wool nightcap ending in a tassel.
His son (Sgorghiguelo) wears a wig and a reddish brown cap with a visor. His wife (Pulonia) wears a white hat and an ankle length dress decorated with brightly colored flowers. She may also wear a white apron, black patent leather shoes with bright buckles, and a white wig with ringlets.
For over a century these three characters have been a symbol of Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
in Modena. The tradition is kept alive by the Society of Sandrone. Every year, the Thursday before Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
, Sandrone and his family arrive at the train station from the imaginary village of Bosco di Sotto. From there, they parade to the Piazza Grande where the crowd witnesses the traditional "sproloquio," a speech spoken in traditional Modenese dialect by the three from a balcony of the Palazzo Comunale. The speech includes witty comments on city life and humorous criticism of local authorities.