Herculean Ferrara
Tuohy, Thomas / Fragnito, Gigliola / Mozzarelli, Cesare
Ercole d'Este (1471 1505) is perhaps best known as the father of Isabella d'Este, marchioness of Mantua, but his court in Ferrara was one of the most glittering in Renaissance Italy. He was an extremely prolific builder and laid out plans which doubled the size of the city. He was also the leader in the revival of classical theatre, an enthusiastic patron of musicians, and a creator of magnificent court spectacles. Very little survives to test...