Venice, Duse Room reopens to the public and hosts a first exhibition dedicated to the famous actress

After more than two years, the Stanza Duse, a permanent space dedicated to the memory of the great Italian actress, reopens to the public in Venice, designed to make visible Eleonora Duse ’s personal archive preserved on theIsland of San Giorgio. The Institute for Theater and Melodrama, directed by Maria Ida Biggi, is presenting a series of exhibitions prepared for the great anniversary of 2024, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of her death, and which aim to investigate a particular aspect of the biographical and artistic story of the Italian actress: the actress’s relationship with Venice and the Veneto region (2022), her success in Italy in the national theatrical context (2023) and her international fame (2024).

The first of these exhibitions entitled If this enthusiasm lasts me I will end up like Narcissus. A photographic journey through the life of the great actress. Part I Eleonora and Venice (May 13-December 16, 2022), curated by Maria Ida Biggi and Marianna Zannoni, aims to emphasize Duse’s connection with the lagoon city and the entire Veneto region. For the occasion, a rich selection from the photographic fund of the Duse Archive will be exhibited, portraying the actress in private moments and while posing in stage clothes, along with a series of objects and documents that belonged to the Italian actress. Eleonora Duse(1858-1924)’s bond with the city of Venice is strong and enduring and has its roots in the actress’ childhood. Her grandfather, actor Luigi Duse, was originally from Chioggia, and Eleonora, after spending her early years in the lagoon, established a unique and unbreakable bond with the city. During her relationship with the composer and man of letters Arrigo Boito (Padua, 1842 - Milan, 1918), the actress repeatedly expressed her desire to retire to Venice with him and her daughter Enrichetta at the end of her career. After much longing, in 1894 Eleonora moved for a time to the Barbaro-Wolkoff palace on the Grand Canal, opposite the Casetta Rossa, which was to host Gabriele D’Annunzio. Venice will also be an important work “square” for Eleonora. The actress’s Venetian tours are illustrative of her entire career, as they recount central episodes of her artistic growth, affirmation and stardom as well as remain as evidence of her evolution.

The Eleonora Duse Room at the Giorgio Cini Foundation, is an Open Archive and presents part of the original documents such as: autographs (including letters, scripts, documents and company records), period photographs, personal objects, as well as clothes and part of the great actress’ furniture. The Cini Foundation’s Institute for Theater and Melodrama holds the most important archive in the world dedicated to Eleonora Duse, an indispensable source for studying the life and art of the actress who had sought, and found, a welcoming climate and a home to live in Venice.

The Eleonora Duse Room will be open for visits by reservation only by contacting 041 2710236 or by writing to teatromelodramma@cini.it.

Venice, Duse Room reopens to the public and hosts a first exhibition dedicated to the famous actress

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