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Silvia Balletti

Silvia Balletti (born Zanetta Rosa Benozzi; 27 June 1701 in Toulouse, Languedoc – 16 September 1758 in Paris), known under her stage name Silvia, was an actress who was the daughter of actors from the Republic of Venice but lived her whole life in France. She was active in the Troupe de Regente of Luigi Riccoboni at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris, 1716–1758. She became the star of the Italian theatre in Paris and was regarded as a superior interpreter of the plays by Pierre de Marivaux. She mainly played the part of heroine in Commedia dell'arte, Silvia. Casanova belonged to her admirers.

Life

Silvia Balletti was born to the Italian actors Antonio Benozzi and Clara Mascara, who belonged to a Venetian theatre company active in Toulouse since the banishment of the Comédie Italienne from Paris in 1697. In 1716, she belonged to the first actors engaged when the Comédie Italienne was reestablished in Paris. Her career up to that point is not known, but it is presumed that she must have had experience, since she would not otherwise have been hired to take part in the opening performance before the regent of 18 May 1716. She made a success, and became the theatre's star in heroine parts.

In 1720, she began a long co-operation with Pierre de Marivaux, who wrote numerous plays for her in which she celebrated triumphs on stage. Among her celebrated parts were the main parts in Le Jeu de l'amour et du hasard (1730), L'amante difficile (1731), Le Je ne sais quoi (1731), L'École des mères (1732), Arlequin apprenti philosophe (1733). Until his death in 1739, she mainly acted opposite Tommaso Visentini, thereafter opposite Antonio Costantini. Though she eventually replaced the parts as heroine for mother-roles, she remained one of the most celebrated actors of Paris until her retirement, and was in 1754 still referred to as a renowned perfect actor. Silvia Balletti retired in February 1758, shortly before her death.

In 1720, she married her cousin Giuseppe (Joseph) Balletti, stage name Mario, who was her co-actor in hero parts. In 1750, she met Casanova, who was the friend of her son Antonio Stefano Balletti and courted her daughter Manon.

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