Mezzetin. Mezzetino, also Mezzettino, is a character from the commedia dell'arte and is considered by Duchartre to be a variant on the stock character Brighella.
His name means Half-Measure in Medieval Italian, and he is sometimes called in French and English playsMezzetin. He first appeared in the 16th century.
Mezzetino is an adept schemer and trouble-maker, willing to commit acts of violence if necessary, but on the whole a little calmer than his brother Brighella, and much more gentle and cultivated, especially in his later life. He is often very musically inclined, and can sing and dance with skill.
His character can vary greatly: he can be a loyal servant or simply scheming for his master's downfall; he can be a deceitful husband or be deceived by his wife. He also seems to be rather more interested in the ladies than is Brighella, often coming over as rather creepy in his efforts to flirt.
His costume has gone through similar variations to Brighella's, beginning as a baggy white costume like that worn by the zanni but later evolving into a livery or else a tunic and breeches, usually with stripes, and some sort of hat as an accessory. Whereas Brighella's color is green, Mezzetino's is red or burgundy. He is sometimes played without a mask, especially in later versions, after the manner in which Angelo Costantini played him; but when masked it is either brown or rust colored. Callo
His name means Half-Measure in Medieval Italian, and he is sometimes called in French and English playsMezzetin. He first appeared in the 16th century.
Mezzetino is an adept schemer and trouble-maker, willing to commit acts of violence if necessary, but on the whole a little calmer than his brother Brighella, and much more gentle and cultivated, especially in his later life. He is often very musically inclined, and can sing and dance with skill.
His character can vary greatly: he can be a loyal servant or simply scheming for his master's downfall; he can be a deceitful husband or be deceived by his wife. He also seems to be rather more interested in the ladies than is Brighella, often coming over as rather creepy in his efforts to flirt.
His costume has gone through similar variations to Brighella's, beginning as a baggy white costume like that worn by the zanni but later evolving into a livery or else a tunic and breeches, usually with stripes, and some sort of hat as an accessory. Whereas Brighella's color is green, Mezzetino's is red or burgundy. He is sometimes played without a mask, especially in later versions, after the manner in which Angelo Costantini played him; but when masked it is either brown or rust colored. Callo
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