Duse, Eleonora << DOO zay, eh leh aw NAW rah >> (1858-1924), an Italian actress, has been called the greatest actress of her time. Duse seemed to live her parts instead of act them. Critics praised her natural and sincere acting.
Gabriele D’Annunzio wrote some of his best plays for her, including La Gioconda and Francesca da Rimini (see D’Annunzio, Gabriele). He fell in love with her and wrote a book, The Flame of Life (1900), based on their love story. Duse acted in Alexandre Dumas fils’ Camille and in Henrik Ibsen’s dramas A Doll’s House, Hedda Gabler, and The Lady from the Sea. Her performances in these works established her reputation. Duse also acted in Giovanni Verga’s tragedy Cavalleria Rusticana.
Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse was born on Oct. 3, 1858, in Vigevano. She made her first public appearance at the age of 4. At 14, she played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She died on April 21, 1924.
