Description
Book SynopsisThe Rise of the Diva on the Sixteenth-Century Commedia dell’Arte Stage examines the emergence of the professional actress from the 1560s onwards in Italy. Tracing the historical progress of actresses from their earliest appearances as sideshow attractions to revered divas, Rosalind Kerr explores the ways in which actresses commodified their sexual and cultural appeal.
Newly translated archival material, iconographic evidence, literary texts, and theatrical scripts provide a rich repertoire through which Kerr demonstrates how actresses skillfully improvised roles such as the maidservant, the prima donna, and the transvestite heroine. Following the careers of early stars such as Flaminia of Rome, Vincenza Armani, Vittoria Piissimi, and Isabella Andreini, Kerr shows how their fame arose from the combination of dazzling technical mastery and eloquent powers of persuasion. Seamlessly integrating the Italian and English scholarly literature on the subject,
Trade Review
'Kerr's work is commendable for several reasons. It is theoretically grounded in unusual ways...It reflects her deep knowledge of the then prevailing social and cultural constructs of status and gender.' -- Maria Galli Stampino Renaissance Quarterly vol 69:04:2016 'Kerr's analysis of how actresses used their skill at recitation to capture the public is very fine, as is her account of their personal rivalries and those of their followers... Kerr's study opens this area to English-speaking public and provides valuable insights.' -- Linda L. Carroll Renaissance and Reformation vol 38:03:2015
Table of Contents
Introduction 1. The Early Female Performer as Marketplace Fetish 2. Pornographic Bawds, Courtesans, and Maidservants 3. Iconic Prima Donnas 4. Transvestite Heroines 5. Isabella Andreini: The Making of a Diva 6. Conclusion
