Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THEATRE
AND MUSIC
1. THE RITES OF DIONYSUS, 1200-600 BC
Annual rites to the god of wine and revelry were held each spring, and involved
orgies, feasts and the ingestion of herbs that led to wild ecstasies. A dithyramb (ode
to Dionysus) was sung by a chorus of men dressed as satyrs. It eventually evolved into
narratives, which in turn developed into the first plays.
2. THESPIS, 6TH CENTURY BC
During one of these group chorales, an intrepid performer named Thespis broke away
from the group and added a solo narrative. The innovation took hold, and the new
individual role was known as the protagonist, the individual hero of the drama, now
backed by the chorus.
3. DRAMA COMPETITIONS, 534 BC
In 534 BC, the ruler of Athens, Pisistratus, formalized the Dionysan festivals into fully
fledged drama competitions, held annually. Thespis won the first competition.
4. AESCHYLUS, THE FIRST PLAYWRIGHT, 472 BC
To the protagonist, Aeschylus introduced a second character, the antagonist, creating
new possibilities. Then in 472 BC came
Persians
, the earliest known play.
5. SOPHOCLES BEATS AESCHYLUS IN THE DRAMA
COMPETITION, 468 BC
Sophocles brought another innovation to the blossoming form of drama - a third
character. He also wrote what is still considered the greatest masterpiece of tragedy,
Oedipus Rex
.
