Aria da Capo

Name: Aria da Capo
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

By Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A one-act stage piece presents a self-conscious Harlequinade in which two masked diners trade flirtation and abruptly adopt multiple artistic and ideological personae, turning identity into performance. Their repartee is disrupted by a rival who claims the scene and by two pastoral singers who lament the mismatch between their tragic tone and the comic setting, yet are urged to continue. The play shifts between whimsy and mock seriousness, using metatheatrical interruptions, rapid role changes, and pointed stagecraft to explore theatrical artifice, the performance of social roles, and the uneasy boundary between farce and genuine feeling.

About the Author

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) was an American poet and playwright known for her lyrical style and exploration of themes such as love, nature, and feminism. She gained prominence with her poem "Renascence," which showcased her talent at a young age. Millay's work often reflects her passionate spirit and commitment to social issues, making her a significant figure in 20th-century literature. Her collection "A Few Figs from Thistles" is particularly noted for its boldness and emotional depth. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, solidifying her place in the literary canon.