The maid becomes mistress. A Goldoni's topic in the Spanish theatre at 18th Century

Abstract

The character of the maid had a long tradition in the Spanish theater from the Golden Age. In the eighteenth century, however, a novelty was incorporated: the maid who becomes a lady for her intelligence and charm. This is a topic that has its origin in La serva padrona, by Pergolesi, and Pamela, by Richardson, but in Spain was due almost exclusively to the influence of Goldoni. In the article the Spanish versions of the works of Goldoni where this topic appears are analyzed, pointing out the differences between the model and the Spanish works.