Dissertation Information for Kristen L. McCleary NAME: - Kristen L. McCleary
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- History
SCHOOL:
- University of California, Los Angeles (USA) (2002)
ADVISORS: - Jose Carlos Moya
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - James Lockhart - Efrain Kristal
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: Culture and commerce: An urban history of theater in Buenos Aires, 1880--1920
Abstract: This dissertation presents an urban history of the cultural life of Buenos Aires and its inhabitants between 1880 and 1920, an era of massive immigration, urbanization, and industrialization through a study of the theater and the activities that take place therein.
This study provides a holistic view of theater in Buenos Aires by illustrating the links of theater to the social, spatial, political and cultural life of the city. The first substantive chapter illustrates how entertainment genres, theater locations, and audience attendance rates transformed over time. The next two chapters examine the relationship between theater and the city council through an analysis of the promulgation and enforcement of theater regulations and censorship. The next chapter examines the social space of theaters and demonstrates how the various uses and allocations of space served to both separate and unite different social classes and genders. The dissertation ends with two chapters that focus on divergent forms of entertainment in the city. The chapter on the Spanish zarzuela analyzes how this form of light opera came to dominate theatrical genres in the 1890s despite the vocal discontent of city officials. The last chapter looks at the constructs of "official" theater and the role that the city played in subsidizing it.
Research draws from city council minutes, municipal ordinances, annual memorias and city entertainment statistics. Daily newspapers representing the mainstream and ethnic press and magazines form the backbone of this study. The study also benefits from city and tourist guides, as well as published accounts of travelers to Argentina that provide invaluable descriptions of the social rituals inside of theaters. Finally, archival material related to the city government's interest in theatrical activities also forms part of this study.
Overall, this study seeks to broaden conceptions of popular and elite culture in Latin America through a study of theater in Buenos Aires, arguing that mass audience during this period did more to control and define cultural expressions than did the elites. Finally, this dissertation contributes to both urban and cultural histories of Latin America.
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MPACT Scores for Kristen L. McCleary A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-08-15 14:27:05
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