Impresario

An impresario (Italian impresario, from impresa "Company") was especially during the 17th to 19th centuries of the ladder (even the owner) of an opera house or theater or an opera or theater company, similar to a present-day artistic director and theater producer. He was the Managing Director, responsible for finance, economic evaluation and marketing of the production or the house.

Known impresarios

The composer George Frideric Handel was a famous impresario who aufführte his operas in London in-house and thus was the artistic director and manager in one. Also on William Shakespeare, this applies to in its genre. Usual was not such a personal union; often the impresario was a patron who contributed money. Another influential impresario Sergei Diaghilev was, the founder and leader of the Ballets Russes. As an example of the role of impresario valid until today the Berlin theater producer Max Reinhardt.

Artists agents

As an impresario and artistic agents or managers were in individual cases referred to, particularly in the areas of film and (music) theater, taking care of commitment to the complete career planning. The name was uncommon in the 20th century in the German-speaking world, today it is no longer in use.

English -speaking

In English-speaking independent theater producers are still referred to as the impresario. Examples:

• Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Ziegfeld Follies the beginning of the 20th century enjoyed great success on Broadway
• Cameron Mackintosh, according to the New York Times in 1990, the " most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world "
• Bill Kenwright, theater producer in London's West End

Figurative meaning

The filmmaker Jacques -Yves Cousteau described herself in an interview as " impresario of scientists", because he systematically einbezog scientists in his underwater documentaries.