Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-08-15
DUSE NEXT SEASON.
NOTED TRAGEDlLNNE WILL RE-
VISIT UNITED STATES.
Extracts From Advance Sheets of
Her Forthcoming Biography
Reveal Curious Facts.

Vienna Letter: One Of the most pie
turesque figures in the world TODAY is
Eleonora Duse. who. it is definitely
understood now, will visit the United
States for the forthcoming season She
viii in all probability be accompanied
by Gabriel d'Annuncio who has writ
ten a new play for her. based upon the
familiar romance of Francesca de
Rimini Nine Duse will appear In this
play in Genoa before going to America.
A biography of the famous tragedi-
enne which is being written by Luigi
Rosi will shortly he issued from the
press of well known publishing house
in Milan.
Among other things this story will
show what a dramatic entree the ia
nous actress made into the world.
II will tell that she was born in n
wagon occupied by her family as a
travelling troupe of players when they
were ON their way to Venice. This in
teresting event occurred in 1859, so
that Duse is now in her forty third
year. shortly after her birth the child
was taken according TO Piedmontese
custom, TO Niveyano for baptism She
was carried in a glass cradle orna-
mented with gold and jewels. A de
tachment of Austrian sodiery marched
past the baptsmal procession and mis-
taking the cradle for the shrine of some
saint halted and saluted,
Duse pere, after the incident. re-
marked to his wife. Forgive me.
dear, that ! am too poor to bring you
present for giving me daughter, but
can give YOU happy omen. Our
daughter will be something great some
day. for already they have shown her
military honors.
Buses grandfather was born In CHG
gle, where the name OF Duse Is quite
common He founded the troupe OF
travelling performers Of which his son
was the head when his illustrious
daughter was born.
In addition to being clever actor
the son was quite distinguished
painter and left the stage ultimately
to devote his time to art
The children of the second genera
ton all became actors like little Eleo-
nora. who was only four years old
when she commenced to play in the
troupe
The little actress had the customary
hardships to meet before her talent
gained recognition. The one bright
spot which had lighted on her during
her baptismal journey was a long time
finding further recognition.
While her mother lay sick in the hos
pital at one time little Eleonora paid
daily visits to her to eat the remains
OF the soup which had been supplied
to the patient When the little prodigy
was fourteen years old her mother
died but there was not enough money
to allow Of her getting black dress
| for the funeral.
! Four years later, after playing with
| various bands OF st"olling actors In
| hamlet and town. Duse made her ia
nous appearance as Juliet Mt Verona.
She was then eighteen. In each scene
she appeared bedecked in roses OF a
different color. She had saved the
money to buy the flowers with from a
very meagre salary and her audience
was delighted with the idea.
Duse was married before she was
twenty to Signor Checca, and from
that event really dates the second
stage OF her theatrical craeer. Her
first hit had been made and she then
went to the Theatre Florentino at Ma
pies. where she acted leading roles and
was cordially disliled by her col
leagues. She was not regarded by
them as possessing any extraordinary
talent
Her first big opportunity came in
Les Fourchambaults, when the Ill
ness OF the leading actress gave her the
chance to play role particularly suit
ed 20 her talents.
Giovanni Emanuel, who filled the
leading male role, was so delighted
with her performance that he had her
Immediately promoted to the position
OF second lady in the company formed
by Nine. Pezzana.
II is said that Nine Pezzana felt 30
acutely jealous Of Duse that she al
lowed her as few opportunities as pos
sible to display her talents She once
gave her the opportunity, however. to
play the part Of the wife In ''Therese
Raquin," and this performance 80 ac-
centuated her reputation that Cesare
Rossi engaged her al once to act the