Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Ristori, Adelaide

RISTORI, Adelaide, Italian actress, b. in Cividale, Friuli, 29 Jan., 1822. Her parents, who were comedians, placed her upon the stage at a very early age, and she soon gained reputation in comedy, Soldoni's plays being her favorite pieces. She subsequently turned to tragedy, and attained eminence in that line. After her marriage with the Marquis Giuliano Capranica del Grillo she withdrew from the stage for several years. In 1855 she made her début in Paris, where she met with great success. During the succeeding ten years Ristori made various tours in Europe, visiting all of the principal cities. In September, 1866, she began her first American tour, which lasted until May of the following year, and during 1869 she travelled through South America. In May, 1874, she began a journey around the world, in the course of which she appeared again in South America and in Mexico, going thence to the United States. Her last visit to this country was during the season of 1884-'5, and lasted seven months. During this time, besides appearing in her principal roles, she played in “Macbeth” with Edwin Booth, and gave also one performance of “Mary Stuart” at the Thalia theatre, speaking English, while the other actors spoke German. The tragedies in which she especially excels are “Queen Elizabeth,” “Marie Antoinette,” “Maria Stuart,” “Myrrha,” “Francesca de Rimini,” “Macbeth,” “Pià dei Tolomei,” and “Medea.” Her autobiography, which is largely made up of analyses of her acting in some of her best roles, has been translated and published under the title “Studies and Memoirs” (London, England, 1888) and in the “Famous Women” series (Boston, Mass., 1888).