Books by Alessandro Cont
Giorgio Baroni Cavalcabò (1717, Sacco near Rovereto - 1799, Paris) was one of the great adventure... more Giorgio Baroni Cavalcabò (1717, Sacco near Rovereto - 1799, Paris) was one of the great adventurers of the 18th century. His fame is linked above all to the arduous diplomatic and conspiratorial work that he did as chargé d'affaires of the Empress Catherine II of Russia to the Order of Malta (1770-1775). Courtier, educator, collector, negotiator, patron and financial speculator, "le marquis de Cavalcabò" was indeed a refined, fascinating, enterprising and tenacious cosmopolitan of the Age of Enlightenment. For the first time, Alessandro Cont's book reconstructs in detail his exceptional, compelling biography, between splendor and misery, political intrigues and daring escapes, friendships at the highest level and forbidden loves. From the magnificence of baroque Vienna to the revolutionary Paris, the 18th century is refracted through the prism of Cavalcabò's personality and adventures in the multiplicity and contradiction of his aspects.
During the reign of James II/VII Stuart (1685-1688), the political, diplomatic and cultural relat... more During the reign of James II/VII Stuart (1685-1688), the political, diplomatic and cultural relations between the British court and the Italian states flourished as never before. This was due above all to the Roman-Catholic faith of the king and the lively personality of his consort Maria Beatrice d’Este («Mary of Modena»), while the growing English economic power was acquiring commercial dominance in the Mediterranean area. With the help of thousands of unpublished papers, the book by Alessandro Cont reconstructs the British diplomatic network in Italy during this period, the personalities and orientations of the ministers of Italian princes accredited to the court of Whitehall, the queen’s dynastic policy and the peculiar characteristics of her Italian entourage of chaplains, servants, artists and musicians.
The monograph investigates with a multidisciplinary approach, based on numerous unpublished archi... more The monograph investigates with a multidisciplinary approach, based on numerous unpublished archival sources, the interwoven relationships between the prince-bishops of the Imperial Church (Reichskirche), the Catholic ruling houses of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and the political, social and cultural system of Italy from the outbreak of the Nine Years’ War (1688) to the end of the Seven Years War (1763). It focuses, among other things, on the multiple roles played in this context by nobles, clergymen, men of letters and artists from Trentino.
The personalities and biographies of the young gentlemen both reflect and influence, at the same ... more The personalities and biographies of the young gentlemen both reflect and influence, at the same time, the variety and the dynamics of the Italian aristocratic world in the eighteenth century. According to a commonplace of the time, masterfully developed in the poem Il giorno (The Day) of Giuseppe Parini, the scions of aristocratic families are often lazy, narcissist and effeminate dandies. Many unpublished archival sources of different provenances allow to specify the reasons and the effective historical role of this social phenomenon. But above all, they help to clarify similarities and differences in attitudes and customs of the «giovin signori» (young noblemen) of the Peninsula and the major adjacent islands during the last century of the Old Regime. Thus, in light of their family relationships, their cultural background, their progressive integration into the «gran mondo» (high society), the young aristocrats are manifested in the concreteness of their experience and in the reality of their class membership.
Papers by Alessandro Cont
The unpublished dispatches of the Venetian rectors of Verona (podestà and captain) to the three H... more The unpublished dispatches of the Venetian rectors of Verona (podestà and captain) to the three Heads of the Council of Ten allow us to investigate the practices of violence, the phenomenon of banditry and the politics of justice by going up the course of the Adige river between the Verona city, its north-western District and, beyond the border with the Holy Roman Empire, the contiguous Trentino-Tyrolean area at the time of the Cretan War (1645-1669).
During the Baroque age, the political border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Republic of Ve... more During the Baroque age, the political border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Republic of Venice did not prevent commercial and cultural interaction, which remained intense. In particular, the neighboring areas of today’s Italian provinces of Trento and Verona constituted a territorial system of relationships and exchange of men, goods, and ideas. Archival documents allow us to rediscover the very significant role that the feudal nobility of southern Trentino and the city patriciate of Verona played in this context.
Taccio perché non bastarebbero né meno li volumi per esprimere il tutto (Fermo Antonio Crotti, 16... more Taccio perché non bastarebbero né meno li volumi per esprimere il tutto (Fermo Antonio Crotti, 1691) 1. Rievocare una storia dell'orrore Il Palazzo Ducale di Modena al tempo di Francesco II d'Este (1662-1694) era un vivace e colorito teatro che ospitava e accoglieva un'umanità variegata e cosmopolita. In un'ala dell'edificio barocco, non ancora compiuto, venivano alloggiate le dame o figlie d'onore al servizio di «Madama Serenissima» Lucrezia Barberini d'Este, nonna del duca regnante. Affacciandosi alle finestre delle loro camere, le quattro giovani vigilate dalla matrona e governatrice Olimpia Valentini potevano scorgere i nobili maschi che si aggiravano sul terrazzo prospiciente impegnati a sparare agli animali da piuma o a giuocare alle bocce. Fu in una di quelle circostanze -correva il mese di aprile 1677 -che principiò la travagliata vicenda sentimentale fra il diciassettenne conte Guido Coccapani, paggio del duca, e l'avvenente sedicenne Laura Zoboli. Discendente da un'antica e illustre casa patrizia della città di Reggio, Laura era tutt'altro che una ingenua donzella ritrosa e digiuna di esperienze galanti. Lorenzo Vinciguerra, servitore ducale e accorto confidente di Guido, metteva subito in guardia l'amico: senz'altro Laura lo stava ingannando, perché costei teneva sfrontatamente in ballo «un'infinità d'amanti», e oltretutto era già promessa al conte Onofrio Campori 1 . Dedico questo saggio al compianto Federico Montecuccoli degli Erri, nel ricordo delle nostre conversazioni sulla nobiltà degli Stati estensi. Il più vivo e cordiale grazie rivolgo, per la collaborazione generosa e attenta, ad
An extraordinary series of unpublished documents makes it possible to reread one of the most dram... more An extraordinary series of unpublished documents makes it possible to reread one of the most dramatic periods in the history of the Holy See and to reconsider the personality of one of the most controversial rulers of the 18th century. The confidential letters from Clement XIII to his nephew Ludovico Rezzonico illuminate not only the most intimate aspects of the life of the Venetian pope, but also contain his personal and secret reflections on the most diverse issues of his pontificate. Here the «vicar of Jesus Christ» comments, for example, on international politics, on the government of the Roman Catholic Church, on the rising public opinion, on the regalistic policies of princes, on the diffusion of Enlightenment ideas and on the fate of the Society of Jesus. To make the picture even more complex and charming is the discovery of other exceptional archival sources, which today for the first time are offered to the historiographical debate. These are the private papers of cardinal nephew Carlo Rezzonico, among which there are still very interesting and surprising working material and autograph manuscripts of Clement XIII himself.
During the Ancient Regime, the various noble groups of feudal and/or patrician character in the P... more During the Ancient Regime, the various noble groups of feudal and/or patrician character in the Po Valley and in the Venetian-Friulian Plain formed a complex system of reciprocal socio-cultural relations. Through a prosopographical and comparative examination and a quantitative analysis it is possible to define its constituent elements, and its peculiar characteristics.
Nachsatz: Stammbaum der Grafen von Spreti bis Hieronymus' Sohn Sigmund Graf von Spreti. Bibliogra... more Nachsatz: Stammbaum der Grafen von Spreti bis Hieronymus' Sohn Sigmund Graf von Spreti. Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek: Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufbar. Das Werk ist urheberrechtlich geschützt. Sämtliche, auch auszugsweise Verwertungen bleiben vorbehalten.
Based on numerous unpublished sources, the essay explores the ruling class of Verona between 1653... more Based on numerous unpublished sources, the essay explores the ruling class of Verona between 1653 and 1737 with a prosopographic and interdisciplinary approach. The identity and self awareness of the patriciate rest primarily on the monopoly of the city offices. However, the main families also undertake military careers in the Venetian, Bavarian and Imperial service and hold positions in the Italian and German courts. Shrewd marriage strategies integrate the same leaders of the patriciate in the upper level of the nobility system of the central-northern Po Valley and of the today’s Trentino. In political-dynasty terms, the role of the Veronese ladies is relevant, especially since, with their liveliness, they actively contribute to social life and the evolution of customs in the city on the Adige river.
NOBILE GIOVENTÙ A CORTE Le paggerie nel sistema degli stati dinastici italiani (secoli XVI-XVIII)... more NOBILE GIOVENTÙ A CORTE Le paggerie nel sistema degli stati dinastici italiani (secoli XVI-XVIII) Élevé au sein de l'abondance et des plaisirs, dans un de ces établissements destinés à perpétuer les traditions de l'ancienne chevalerie, combien, dans ma vie agitée, n'ai-je point éprouvé de douces émotions en recueillant ces souvenirs de mes premières années! Félix de France d'Hézecques, già paggio di Luigi XVI Servizio cerimoniale e formazione aristocratica La Paggeria delinea uno spazio istituzionale della corte principesca deputato ad accogliere e ospitare, nell'epoca moderna, da cinque fino a quarantacinque ragazzi nobili usualmente d'età dai dieci ai diciotto anni. «Clarus [...] domo, forma laudandus», il paggio è addetto a servire il sovrano e, nel contempo, è destinatario di un'educazione confacente al suo status aristocratico, della quale si fa carico il monarca stesso. 1 Le ricerche bibliografiche, archivistiche e iconografiche preliminari alla stesura di questo saggio hanno potuto contare anche su cortesi e puntuali segnalazioni e suggerimenti da parte di
Manuskripte sind nach vorheriger Anfrage an die Herausgeber beziehungsweise die Redaktion zu rich... more Manuskripte sind nach vorheriger Anfrage an die Herausgeber beziehungsweise die Redaktion zu richten: Historische Kommission zu Berlin e.V. Geschäftsstelle Jägerstraße 22/23 (BBAW)
Je ne conçois pas, coment un italien peut se résoudre à vivre hors de son pays, de ce vray paradi... more Je ne conçois pas, coment un italien peut se résoudre à vivre hors de son pays, de ce vray paradis terestre (Maria Antonia von Bayern, verwitwete Kurfürstin von Sachsen, 1772). 1. Einleitung In der zweiten Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts war eine erhebliche Anzahl von italienischstämmigen Adeligen (einschließlich ihrer im Ausland geborenen und/oder aufgewachsenen Kinder) in den institutionellen Strukturen der Höfe von Kurfürsten und kleineren Fürsten des Heiligen Römischen Reichs deutscher Nation eingegliedert. 1 Trotz zahlreicher Quellen, die das Phänomen eindrücklich dokumentieren, wurde diese Präsenz aus sozialhistorischer Sicht bis dato nicht mit jener Intensität untersucht, wie dies bereits für künstlerische, musikalische sowie literarisch-sprachliche Aspekte der deutsch-italienischen Beziehungen im ‚Zeitalter der Vernunft' 2 1
Political life and aristocratic sociability in Vienna at the time of Emperor Charles VI. Experien... more Political life and aristocratic sociability in Vienna at the time of Emperor Charles VI. Experiences and strategies of the Protestant diplomat Konrad Detlev von Dehn and of the Catholic prince Giovanni Federico d’Este (1726). The paper presents two interesting groups of unpublished letters from the second half of the year 1726. The first of these contains letters by the Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel ambassador Konrad Detlev von Dehn from Vienna to the duchess of Blankenburg, Christine Luise of Oettingen-Oettingen, the mother of Empress Elisabeth Christine of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, while the other consists of letters also sent from Vienna by prince Giovanni Federico d'Este, a nephew (on his mother's side) of Empress dowager Wilhelmine Amalie of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, to his father, Duke Rinaldo of Modena. A comparative analysis of these documents facilitates a better view of several important aspects of political life in Vienna at the time of Emperor Charles VI, e. g. the political and dynastic interaction between the regnant and the widowed Empress; the variety of opinions in the fields of politics and diplomacy produced by the Pietas Austriaca; the function of (high-ranking) aristocratic sociability as an addition to and extension of the political and institutional system of the imperial court; and additionally, the cultural and political importance of the recently endowed monastery of Salesian nuns in the framework of relations between the capital of the Habsburg monarchy and the Italian regions.
The study of the relations between the Italian princely courts and that of Bavaria during the Bar... more The study of the relations between the Italian princely courts and that of Bavaria during the Baroque period can make use of five collections of letters, mostly unpublished. They were sent by some aristocrats from Turin, Mantua and Florence, active in Munich or under arms on the Hungarian front under the elector Maximilian II Emanuel of Wittelsbach, to their governments at various times between 1676 and 1688. These letters, now in the state archives of Turin, Mantua and Florence, reveal hitherto unknown information on the ruling family of Bavaria and shed new light on the power dynamics at the top level of one of the most important German states. At the same time, they highlight some of the diplomatic strategies pursued by the Ducal dynasties of the Italian peninsula in the composite world of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. The content of the letters also indicates the difficulties and problems encountered by the authors in adapting to a foreign land, partly due to the diversity of climate and customs, but also the prestige and the material advantages they might obtain from the interrelations between the société des princes and the international nobility. For example, whilst Giovanni Battista D’Oria di Ciriè was forced to return to Turin by lack of economic resources, Carlo Maria Vialardi’s successful negotiations in Munich on behalf of the duke of Mantua was rewarded by an official mission to Dresden, from where he sent dispatches that provide us with informations and suggestions for comparing the two electoral courts of Saxony and Bavaria.
In the late 17th century, the Castrati are a familiar presence for the aristocrats of the Italian... more In the late 17th century, the Castrati are a familiar presence for the aristocrats of the Italian Peninsula, who usually enjoy their singing and in various circumstances exercise the functions of playwrights and organizers of musical events. However, the ability as singers and the 'self-promotional' talent can raise the status of some «musici» and introduce then into the same noble class, although the social ascent is not entirely undisputed and free of any risk for a Castrato of the Baroque period.
The sovereigns of the Italian dynastic states during the century and a half that elapsed between ... more The sovereigns of the Italian dynastic states during the century and a half that elapsed between the peace of the Pyrenees and the first Napoleonic campaign in the Peninsula (1659-1796) were surrounded by ministers, favourites and confidants who left a significant mark in the political life of the various potentates. The second half of the seventeenth century was characterized by the widespread presence of the figure of the «Prime Minister», which was usually in possession of a title of nobility and sometimes had solid legal or financial skills and experiences. The wars of the early eighteenth century brought about major changes in the Italian political system and contribute to the rise of skilful diplomats, who entered the inner circle of the advisers of the princes, while the indispensability of the personal «favour» of the monarch in promoting careers at court was confirmed also by the French modes of sociability. The restoration of lasting peace after 1748 opened the season of the internal reforms implemented by vigorous prime ministers with the support of the great powers of Catholic Europe. In the seventies, however, these ministers had to retreat in front of the willingness expressed by the respective sovereigns to proceed with greater individual autonomy and with new employees to the economic, political and often military strengthen of their States.
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Books by Alessandro Cont
Papers by Alessandro Cont