Melodrama in the 19th Century

What is melodrama?

• A form of theater with no music

• A genre of literature popular in the 17th century England

• A type of comedy with realistic acting

• A theatrical form with morally simplistic stories

Why did melodrama become popular in cities?

• Cities had a growing working class who wanted entertainment

• Cities had a shortage of literary theaters

• Cities had a high demand for sentimental comedy

• Cities had a lack of musical accompaniment in theaters

Who is considered the father of melodrama?

• Rene-Charles Guilbert de Pixerecourt

• Charles Nodier

• Augustin Daly

• Dionysius Boucicault

What did Rene-Charles Guilbert de Pixerecourt introduce to melodrama?

• Supernatural elements

• Musical accompaniment

• Dog characters

• Realistic set designs

What was the purpose of musical accompaniment in melodrama?

• To entertain the audience with catchy tunes

• To create a dramatic atmosphere

• To distract from the exaggerated acting

• To showcase the talents of musicians

How many stock characters are there in melodrama?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Which instrument accompanied the villain in melodrama?

• Contrabass

• Trumpet

• Flute

• Bassoon

What did melodrama demand from its set designers?

• Authenticity and realism

• Exaggeration and spectacle

• Minimalism and simplicity

• Symbolism and abstraction

What was one of the most popular melodrama of the 19th century written by Augustin Daly?

• Under the Gaslight

• The Dog of Montarges

• The Poor of New York

• The Rise of Melodrama

What did melodrama contribute to the development of theater?

• Realistic set designs and topical themes

• Realistic acting and sensational scenes

• Minimalistic staging and abstract storytelling

• Symbolic characters and philosophical dialogues