Anfitrione (1487)

The production was part of the marriage celebrations of Lucrezia d'Este and Annibale Bentivoglio. The reason for the second performance on 5 February 1487 was the curtailment of the first due to rain. It is likely to have been an expensive production because it involved a mechanical representation of heaven (Paradixo), of the sort found in contemporary religious performances (sacre rappresentazioni). Zambotti describes it as lights shining through the fine black canvas (covering the Cortile of the Palazzo), representing stars, together with small boys dressed in white who sang and represented the planets. It was constructed for the convenience of Jove, who descended from it to the stage. Zambotti commended the fact that it was only used when the drama required it.