Francesco Andreini

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Francesco Andreini, c. 1612

Francesco Andreini (c. 1548 – 1624) was an Italian actor mainly of commedia dell'arte plays. He began his career playing the role of the unsophisticated love-stricken young man. Later he played the role of Capitan Spavento ("Captain Fright"), a Pickwickian character of excessive fatigue[1]


Andreini was born at Pistoia, he was a member of the company of i Gelosi which Henry IV of France summoned to Paris to his bride, the young queen Marie de Medici, thus introducing the commedia dell'arte style to France.[2]

Both his wife, Isabella Andreini, and their son, Giambattista Andreini, were also distinguished in the arts.[2]


  1. ^ Boni, F., page 9
  2. ^ a b Chisholm 1911.

