BRIGHELLA As much as Harlequin and the Zanni, Brighella is from Bergamo too (somebody had some resentment toward the Bergamascos? Who knows), with some resemblance in the basic character to the Zanni. But if not smarter, Brighella's arrogance surely pays off as he gets a little more respect than the Zanni himself. The name by itself (briga, brigare is Italian for quarrel, trouble, intrigue) explains this mask well enough: Brighella is colleric, violent, exaggerated in his behavior, womanizer. Catlike and sordid in his quest for food, confirmed liar and persuasive in his love pursuits, always ready for intrigue, always in search for the next fight. Brighella is a mask used to play different roles, kind of the perfect substitute villain, thus leading to a good deal of variants: Buffet, Flautino, Bagatino, Gandolino, Mezzettino, Fenocchio, Scapino and Beltrame da Milano the most known.

Maurice Sand - Brighella (year 1570)

G.J.Xavery - Brighella in one of his love adventures - detail

Flautino, one of the Brighella variants