Giovanni Gabrielli (actor)

Giovanni Gabrielli (died between 1603 and 1611) was an Italian actor of the commedia dell'arte, who performed under the name Sivello.[1]

Portrait of Giovanni Gabrielli, c. 1599, engraved by Agostino Carracci

Biography

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Gabrielli was particularly famous for portraying several characters talking together in different languages.[1] The 18th-century historian Francesco Saverio Quadrio relates that Gabrielli was able to impersonate women with his voice only, without the benefit of a costume change.[2] His portrait was engraved by Agostino Carracci.[3]

His son Francesco Gabrielli was also a well known actor.[1]

Publications

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Two works of Gabrielli were published in Bologna in the early 17th century:[4]

  • Villanelle Nuove Composte per Giovanni Gabrielli detto il Sivello (Bologna, 1601)[5]
  • Il Studio, Comedia Nova, Composta per Giovanni Gabrielli da Modona, detto il Sivello (Bologna, 1602)[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Senelick, Laurence, p. 407 ("Gabrielli family") in Banham 1995.
  2. ^ Quadrio 1744, p. 239, cited by Askew 1978, p. 60.
  3. ^ Rasi 1897, vol. 1, p. 955.
  4. ^ Mahon 1947, p. 234, note 3.
  5. ^ OCLC 561213641.
  6. ^ OCLC 561213627

Bibliography

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