Avancini, Nikolaus auch Avancinus#
b. Brez near Trento (Italy), Dec. 1, 1611, d. Rome (Italy), Dec. 6, 1686, Jesuit priest, dramatist, poet, theologian. 1664 rector in Passau, then in Vienna and Graz. 1676-1680 Provincial of the Austrian Province and in 1682 "Assistens Germaniae". Was a notable dramatist, dedicating his splendid plays ("Ludi Caesarei") to Emperor Leopold I. Biblical and historical themes (Pietas Victrix, 1659) are used to glorify the House of Habsburg and the Catholic Church. His theological works (e.g. "Vita et doctrina Jesu Christi" (1665)) were widely read.
Works#
Poems: Poesis Lyrica ..., 1659; Psalterium lyricum ..., 1696. - Dramas: Poesis Dramatica N. Avancini E Societate Jesu. Pars I und II 1675, Pars III 1680, Pars IV 1679, Pars V 1686. - Rhetorik: Nucleus rhetoricus ..., 1666.Literature#
A. Kabiersch, N. A. SJ. und das Wr. Jesuitentheater, doctoral thesis, Vienna 1972; F. G. Sieveke, Actio scaenica und persuasorischer Perfektionismus, in: H. Zeman (ed.), Die oe. Literatur. Ihr Profil an der Wende vom 18. zum 19. Jh. (1705-1830), 1986.