Andreini, Isabella Canali

Andreini, Isabella Canali (ē"zäbel'lä ändrāē'nē) [key], 1562–1604, Italian actress. Beautiful, elegant, and well-educated, she was one of the most famous performers of her time. She joined the Gelosi troupe, becoming a leading player, and married the troupe's manager, Francesco Andreini, in 1578. She wrote the pastoral Mirtilla (1588); her collected letters appeared in 1607. Andreini was lauded by the poets Tasso and Marini.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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