Cicisbeo
The Cicisbeo ([ t͡ʃit͡ʃizˈbɛo ], Italian also cavalier servente , serving cavalier or Cicisbeat ) was a gallant courtier in Italy in the 18th and 19th centuries, who served the lady of the house as a companion on social occasions when the landlord was absent. It corresponds roughly to the Spanish cortejo; a similar term is the Galan, borrowed from French .
The etymological origin of the word is unclear; theories point to an onomatopoeic word formation that reproduces the whisper, as well as the possibility of borrowing it from the French chichebeau ('beautiful chickpea') or from French chiche ('cute').
This practice was particularly widespread in the noble families of Genoa, Nice, Venice, Florence and Rome. The selection of a cicisbeo followed a fixed arrangement (cicisbeatura or cicisbeismo) that was supposed to prevent erotic relationships between lady and servant. He was chosen by the lady's family from among the family or closest friends and was also the subject of marriage contracts . The mostly younger Cicisbeo originally had to be single and was not allowed to have any other relationships with women outside of the Cicisbeat. Clergymen could also fulfill this function.
Over time, the character also gained a frivolous connotation . While the Cicisbeo originally served more as a 'guardian' of the lady, he played a key role in erotic escapades, especially since he was allowed to visit the lady in her private chambers without restriction and without registration. A sexual relationship between lady and Cicisbeo was ultimately relatively problem-free.
The cicisbeo became literary in numerous roles in the Italian commedia and opera buffa . The best-known is probably the figure of Cherubino in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro , a later 'descendant' is Octavian in Richard Strauss ' Rosenkavalier . Further examples of the figure can be found in the works of Carlo Goldoni , Gioacchino Rossini and Hanns-Josef Ortheil (in his novel Im Licht der Lagune ).