Compagnia dei Desiosi

Compagnia dei Desiosi, one of the Italian acting troupes performing commedia dell’arte (improvised popular comedy) in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This period is considered the golden age of the genre, and the performers were noted for their sophistication and varied skills. The Desiosi’s director, Diana da Ponti, was well known both as an actress and as a poet. The name Desiosi means “the desired.” Cardinal Montalto was the company’s patron. Documents of...