Giovambattista Andreini

Italian actor and author

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Giovambattista Andreini (born Feb. 9, 1579?, Florence [Italy]—died June 7/8, 1654, Reggio nell’Emilia) was an actor of commedia dell’arte and son of Francesco and Isabella Andreini. Giovambattista was also the author of the play Adamo (“Adam”), which, it has been claimed, suggested the idea of Paradise Lost to John Milton. Andreini began his stage career with the Compagnia dei Gelosi founded by his parents, but about 1601 he formed his own troupe, the Compagnia dei...