Vittoria Piisimi
Encyclopedia
Vittoria Piisimi was an Italian actress, singer, dancer, theatre director and musician. She was one of the most famous Italian actors of the period and known as the "divine Vittoria Piisimi". She and Isabella Andreini
was the two most famed actresses of the era and described as great rivals.
Vittoria Piisimi was the primadonna of the famous commedia dell’arte Gelosi Company of Flaminio Scala
. The company, first mentioned in 1568, was the first Commedia to tour outside Italy when it performed in Paris
in 1571, and was described as the foremost commedia dell’arte troupe. Piisimi is first mentioned in 1573 and is confirmed as a member of the Gelosi troupe in 1574. she would in fact have been active earlier, as it was known that her lover, actor Adriano Valerini from Verona
, left her for Vincenza Armani
, who died in 1569, four years before 1573.
Piisimi received great praise and replaced Vincenza Armani
(d. 1569) as the primadonna of the Italian theatre. Piisimi combined her acting with singing, dancing and by writing music and was reportedly admired also in these fields. She was called comica gelosa and mainly played the parts of heroine and subretto. 24 July 1574, she performed for Henry III of France
in the role of Pallas Athena in Venice, where she received great praise. At this point, she was the most famous actress in Italy and was known outside of Italy. Her performance was especially requested by the French monarch upon his visit to Venice in 1574. In 1579-1581, she was the leader of her own theatre company.
In 1589, the Gelosi troupe performed in Florence
at the wedding of Grand Duke Ferdinand de Medici and Christina of Lorraine. At this event, the "rival prima donnas" Vittoria Piisimi performed as the gypsy in Zingara and Isabella Andreini as the madwoman in La Pazzia d’Isabella. Their performances where considered the great highlight of the event and became a famous event of their rivalry.
In 1592, Piisimi left the Gelosi theatre. She was for a time the director of the Gli Uniti company. She returned to the Gelosi company in 1595.
The death of Piisimi is unknown. She is last mentioned in 1595.
Isabella Andreini
Isabella Andreini , also known as Isabella Da Padova, was an Italian actress and writer.Isabella Andreini was a member of the Compagnia dei Comici Gelosi, an important touring theatre company that performed for the highest social circles of Italy and France...
was the two most famed actresses of the era and described as great rivals.
Vittoria Piisimi was the primadonna of the famous commedia dell’arte Gelosi Company of Flaminio Scala
Flaminio Scala
Flaminio Scala was an Italian comedian and stage actor, one of the most important figures of Commedia dell'Arte.-Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative:...
. The company, first mentioned in 1568, was the first Commedia to tour outside Italy when it performed in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1571, and was described as the foremost commedia dell’arte troupe. Piisimi is first mentioned in 1573 and is confirmed as a member of the Gelosi troupe in 1574. she would in fact have been active earlier, as it was known that her lover, actor Adriano Valerini from Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
, left her for Vincenza Armani
Vincenza Armani
Vincenza Armani , was an Italian actress, singer, poet, musician, lace maker and sculptor. She was one of the most famous Italian actors of the period and known as the "divine Vincenza Armani"...
, who died in 1569, four years before 1573.
Piisimi received great praise and replaced Vincenza Armani
Vincenza Armani
Vincenza Armani , was an Italian actress, singer, poet, musician, lace maker and sculptor. She was one of the most famous Italian actors of the period and known as the "divine Vincenza Armani"...
(d. 1569) as the primadonna of the Italian theatre. Piisimi combined her acting with singing, dancing and by writing music and was reportedly admired also in these fields. She was called comica gelosa and mainly played the parts of heroine and subretto. 24 July 1574, she performed for Henry III of France
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
in the role of Pallas Athena in Venice, where she received great praise. At this point, she was the most famous actress in Italy and was known outside of Italy. Her performance was especially requested by the French monarch upon his visit to Venice in 1574. In 1579-1581, she was the leader of her own theatre company.
In 1589, the Gelosi troupe performed in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
at the wedding of Grand Duke Ferdinand de Medici and Christina of Lorraine. At this event, the "rival prima donnas" Vittoria Piisimi performed as the gypsy in Zingara and Isabella Andreini as the madwoman in La Pazzia d’Isabella. Their performances where considered the great highlight of the event and became a famous event of their rivalry.
In 1592, Piisimi left the Gelosi theatre. She was for a time the director of the Gli Uniti company. She returned to the Gelosi company in 1595.
The death of Piisimi is unknown. She is last mentioned in 1595.