The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-31
FOdMAEO SALvINI,
 GREATEST OF TRAGEDIANS,
 EIGHTY THREE TOMORROW

Thirty-eight years ago, and again Six years later. Tommaso Sa1vln1 tour ed America and won the pIauolts oa Rreatest of tfa gedianS. It will come IS a surprise to many to learn that the great Italian actor is still living, although he retired from the stage nearly a quarter of a century ago, nnd will celebrate his eighty-third birthday tomorrow at his home m FIorence After his London triumph lra 1884 Salvini made a farewell tour of his beloved Italy, after which ne made lecture tour and then settled kovn to the writing of his admirable
 seIvfIsi Was born a in Milan, Italy. Jan. l. 1880. His mother was an act seas and his father was for many Fears an actor. although he later be- czne a professor of literature He was reared fn the atmosphere of the theatre sand his first ambition was to- shine as a tragedian. To the accom- plIshment of this aim he brought a keen and, eager mind, an inborn tai Hnt amounting to genius, the necessary nudity of perseverance, and good health and a robust physique. He began his career at the royal theatre In Naples. and later secured an en- sasement with Madame Ristori- In ls4e he fought with distinction in the revolutionary war that convulsed Italy In that year. His first recognition In 1865. when on the 60Oth anniversary pf Dante's birth, celebrated at Flor ence, he played the role of Lancelotto In -Frarcesca di Rimdni.'' The fame nf ssalvfni spread over Europe. and was carried to America. where une tragedian was given a continuous ova.- ton during his tour of 1875- He re- turned to Amerca in 1881.
 Salvfni's claim to immortality rests principally on his portrayal Of the parts of Hamlet. Otf1ello, Saul ana and tremendous dramatic power car rIed away his audiences It is re- iated that at performance Of La Norte Civile'' i'm Madrid the impFees- sionable Spaniards were so impressed with his realism that, following the death scene, many rushed weeping trat the actor was really dead.
 The SaIvini of today is white haired man. slightly bowed. but oth- erwise showing no traces of the eigh- ty-tfree years he has lived The great master of tragedy. he has also 6eer poet dranatist. painter. sculptor pleasure in playing with children, in discussing philosophy with few bosom friends, and in a nightly game of billiards He has a handsome horne in Florence and a country house near. that beautiful city, and between these two he spends his tine,- when nos visiting one or another of his
 The distinguished actor suffered a great blow when his talented son. Al exander. who promised to equal his TS tner on tHe stdSS, "A0u AAi Ac'0 1 other son, Mario, is eminent in Italy as an. artist. and is director Of an srt school in Venice Mario has two distinguished sons. one a composer and the other a novelist. GustaVo GaIvini another son of the tragedlan, sought fame on the stage. but his sue cess has been slight when compared with the past triumphs of his father- Gustavo has d son who has made a name for himself as d poet.
 It Is oniv of late years that Salvlnl has undertaken the study of EnSl1sh and he has accomplished. very 1ttie toward a mastery of that language \ man whom kings have delighted to honor-and have so honOred them SelvesASaIvini is now as always modest democratic, honest, sincere enjoying in his old age the fruits of B fame gained by hard work and the utterrnost devotion to his art