Biography duse eleonora

First international stage actress and the most charismatic and honored actress of her time who was renowned for the subtlety, depth, and psychological insights of her stage portrayals. Born Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse on October 3, 1858, in the town of Vigevano, Italy; died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1924; daughter of Alessandro Duse (an actor) and Angelica Cappelletto Duse; married Teobaldo Marchetti Checchi, in 1881 (estranged after 1885); children: (with Martino Cafiero) a son who died within a week of his birth; (with husband) daughter Enrichetta Checchi (b.

1882).

Appeared on stage at age four in a production of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables (1862); joined the company of Cesare Rossi (1879); triumphed in a production of Emile Zola's Thérèse Raquin (1879); became prima donna in the Rossi company (1881); attended performances of Sarah Bernhardt in Italy (1882); became estranged from husband during tour of South America (1885)