Performer 'became' the person she played with her whole being
Eleonora Duse began acting at the age of four. |
Regarded as one of the greatest acting talents of all times,
Eleonora Duse was born on this day in 1858 in Vigevano in Lombardy.
Often simply known as Duse, she was admired for her total
assumption of the roles she played. In 1947, the film, Eleonora Duse, was made
about her life.
She began acting at the age of four, joining her father and
grandfather in the profession. She worked in a troupe with her family,
travelling from city to city. Duse became famous for creating Italian versions
of roles made famous by the actor Sarah Bernhadt.
Duse toured South America, Russia and the US, beginning the
tours as an unknown actor, but leaving in her wake a general recognition of her
genius.
She had an affair with the Italian poet, Arrigo Boito, who
was the librettist for the composer, Giuseppe Verdi. They carried out their
relationship in a clandestine manner, but the letters they exchanged have
survived and they remained on good terms until Boito’s death in 1918.
Duse had a romantic relationship with the writer and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio |
In 1895 Duse met the writer Gabriele D’Annunzio and they
became involved romantically as well as professionally.
D’Annunzio wrote four plays for her but when he gave the
lead in La Città Morta to Sarah Bernhardt instead of her, Duse ended her
relationship with him.
Duse had a relationship with the dancer, Isadora Duncan and
spent several weeks with her at Viareggio in Tuscany, shortly after Duncan’s
two children drowned in a tragic accident.
Her biographer, Frances Winwar, recalled that Duse wore
little make-up but made herself up "morally." She meant that she used her body to
express her grief and joy.
Duse, who had a history of ill health, died of pneumonia at the age of 65 in the US while on a
tour. Her body was returned to Italy and she was buried in Asolo in the Veneto
at the cemetery of St Anna.
The beautiful Piazza Ducale in Vigevano |
Travel tip:
Vigevano, where Duse was born, is a town in the province of
Pavia in Lombardy. It is well-known for the beautiful Piazza Ducale in the
centre of town. The piazza was completed in 1493 and was planned to form the
forecourt to the castle built for Ludovico Sforza, who was Duke of Milan
between 1452 and 1508.
Porticoes line the Via Browning in Asolo |
Travel tip:
Asolo, where Duse was buried, is a town in the Veneto
region, known as ‘the pearl of the province of Treviso’. It is famous for being
the home of the English poet, Robert Browning. Duse lived there for part of her
life and is now buried in the hillside cemetery of St Anna.
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