The word intermezzo comes from the Latin intermedius - it means the intermediate, the one that is in the middle of something. The Italians borrowed this term to give the name to theatrical performances.
What is intermezzo?
Intermezzo is a short comedy performance that is usually played between theatrical acts or opera paintings. Such representations can be both independent plays and a continuation of the current story.
If we talk about opera, here intermezzo is an inserted opera or a contrasting scene in the middle of the action. Usually it is performed to show the viewer a temporary gap or to fill in a pause that occurs when the scenery changes. Intermezzo can be vocal, instrumental or vocal-instrumental.
For the first time such representations appeared during the Renaissance. Already in the second half of the 17th century, these small comic sketches began to claim a central place in opera and theater.
At the beginning of the 18th century, intermezzos were completely excluded from the theater. From this period they began to form as an independent genre. The most popular production was “Servant Madame” by Giovanni Pergolesi. This is a classic example of intermezzo, from which everyone took an example.
