I Gelosi

I Gelosi (Italian for "The Jealous Ones") was an Italian commedia dell'arte troupe that flourished from 1568 to 1604. Considered one of the most important and influential commedia companies of the era, I Gelosi was notable for its high level of professionalism and for including Isabella Andreini, one of the most famous and highly regarded actresses of the 16th century.

The troupe was formed in Milan and was granted official recognition by the Duke of Mantua. They performed in Italy and extensively abroad, most notably in France, where they were invited to the French court by King Henry III and subsequently by Henry IV. Their performances are credited with significantly popularizing commedia dell'arte outside of Italy.

Unlike many other early commedia troupes that were often amateur or semi-professional, I Gelosi was a fully professional company, with actors receiving regular salaries. This allowed them to invest in costumes, props, and staging, and to develop a more refined and sophisticated style of performance.

The Gelosi's stock characters included gli innamorati (the lovers), such as Isabella and Flaminio, as well as recognizable commedia figures like Zanni (the servant). The company was known for its improvisational skills, its use of lazzi (comic routines), and its fast-paced and energetic performances. Their success contributed to the growing popularity and prestige of commedia dell'arte as a legitimate theatrical form.

The troupe disbanded in 1604 following the death of Isabella Andreini. Her passing marked not only the loss of a star performer but also the end of an era for I Gelosi, a group which had significantly shaped the development of commedia dell'arte.