Isabella Andreini

Lore & Background

Isabella Canali was born in Padua to Venetian parents. Despite her family's poverty, she received a complete classical education. In 1576, at age fourteen, she was hired by the Compagnia dei Comici Gelosi. She performed the role of the enamoured woman (prima donna innamorata) and improvised to create a more perceptive character. She was one of the women who introduced, developed, and excelled at improvisation. In 1578, she married Francesco Andreini, who later became director of the Gelosi. She bore seven children. In 1589, she performed her comic work La Pazzia d'Isabella for the Florentine court. She performed before Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici in 1599 and again in 1603. She died near Lyon in 1604 after miscarrying her eighth child. Memorial coins were made in her honour.

Reader's Guide

Isabella Andreini was a leading actress and writer. She performed with the Gelosi until her death. She was fluent in several languages, which she used in La Pazzia d'Isabella. She also wrote literary works, including La Mirtilla (1588) and Rime. She was integrated into the Accademia degli Intenti of Pavia in 1601. Her writings addressed topics such as women's power, self-awareness, and same-sex relationships. She corresponded with intellectuals and poets. After her death, her husband dissolved the Gelosi; their son Giambattista started his own company, the Fedeli.

Did You Know?

• Isabella Andreini was fluent in several languages, which she used in her performance La Pazzia d'Isabella.
• She was integrated into the Accademia degli Intenti of Pavia in 1601, an uncommon achievement for a woman at the time.
• In a poetry contest, she attained second place, behind the poet Torquato Tasso.
• Memorial coins were made in her honour after her death, with one side depicting her as a Roman ruler and the other featuring the goddess Fame.