Tiberio Fiorelli
Encyclopedia
Tiberio Fiorilli also known as Scaramouche (November 9, 1608 – December 7, 1694) was an Italian actor of commedia dell'arte
, popular in France for his role of Scaramouche
.
He was the director of the troop of the Comédiens Italiens, which shared with the troop of his friend Molière
the Theatre of the Petit-Bourbon, and the Theatre of the Palais-Royal
.
He was born in Naples
, but left Italy around 1640 for unknown reasons, perhaps simply while following a troupe of actors, or to flee a political intrigue. He arrived in France under the reign of Louis XIII. His play pleased the queen, which enabled him to attend the court.
It is said that one day, when the two-year-old Dauphin cried (the future Louis XIV), Fiorelli, as Scaramouche, made any possible sound to comfort him. He achieved this task with grimaces and tomfoolery; consequently, the Dauphin had "a need, that he had at the time, the hands and the dress of Scaramouche". Fiorelli was then ordered to visit the court every night to amuse the Dauphin, which helped the Scaramouche character become a stock figure in the theatre of the time. The character of Scaramouche became a standard role thereafter of the commedia dell'arte. He died in Paris and is buried in the Église Saint-Eustache.
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
, popular in France for his role of Scaramouche
Scaramuccia
Scaramuccia, also known as Scaramouche, is a roguish clown character of the Italian commedia dell'arte who wears a black mask and black trousers, shirt and hat. He is usually portrayed as a buffoon or boastful clown; in this latter capacity, he can be considered a smaller derivative of Il Capitano...
.
He was the director of the troop of the Comédiens Italiens, which shared with the troop of his friend Molière
Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright and actor who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature...
the Theatre of the Petit-Bourbon, and the Theatre of the Palais-Royal
Théâtre du Palais-Royal
The Théâtre du Palais-Royal is a 750 seat theatre at 38, rue Montpensier in Paris. In 1637 Cardinal Richelieu began work on a theatre on the east wing of the Palais-Royal building, to break the theatre monopoly of the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and it was opened in 1641...
.
He was born in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, but left Italy around 1640 for unknown reasons, perhaps simply while following a troupe of actors, or to flee a political intrigue. He arrived in France under the reign of Louis XIII. His play pleased the queen, which enabled him to attend the court.
It is said that one day, when the two-year-old Dauphin cried (the future Louis XIV), Fiorelli, as Scaramouche, made any possible sound to comfort him. He achieved this task with grimaces and tomfoolery; consequently, the Dauphin had "a need, that he had at the time, the hands and the dress of Scaramouche". Fiorelli was then ordered to visit the court every night to amuse the Dauphin, which helped the Scaramouche character become a stock figure in the theatre of the time. The character of Scaramouche became a standard role thereafter of the commedia dell'arte. He died in Paris and is buried in the Église Saint-Eustache.
In literature
- Angelo Constantini, called Mezetin, wrote a well-documented Life of Scaramouche (Paris 1695 and Brussels 1699).
- Rafael SabatiniRafael SabatiniRafael Sabatini was an Italian/British writer of novels of romance and adventure.-Life:Rafael Sabatini was born in Iesi, Italy, to an English mother and Italian father...
wrote a novel entitled Scaramouche, remotely inspired by Fiorilli's life.