Eleonora Duse. Appunti per una biografia (1969): l’attrice e il mito

Abstract

In 1969 the Italian Radio-Television Broadcasting- RAI produced the screenplay, Eleonora Duse. Notes for a biography. G. Loverso and C. Serino were the author of the script, directed by F. Bollini (1924-78). Having analyzed the screenplay, we are able to un- derstand how the myth of E. Duse was structured. The analysis also explains why she became famous among the television audience of the second half of the 20th century. The screenplay sparked considera- ble debate and contrasting reactions, especially based on the interpretation of the actress in the role of Duse, L. Brignone (1913-84). Many admirers wrote to Brignone about her interpretation of the great tragedienne. The actress and writer E. De Giorgi (1914-97) sent Brignone her study on E. Duse, that allows us to focus on some distinctive features of Duse’s acting, dividing the actress from the myth.