The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-02
TRAGEDIAN SALVINI
dies AT AGE OF So
Italian Actor Made Several
Tours Of L. s., Playing
With Edwin Booth.
OTHELLO HIS CHIEF ROLE

1,oNpoN. Jan. News reached here
to-day OF the death at Florence. Italy,
Of Tomaso Salvini. the Italian tragedian.
Salvini was well known In the United
States. having made several tours OF
America. He scored his greatest sue
cess In the role Of OtheIo.
Tomaso Salvini was the great Ital-
ian tragedian OF the past century. He
was the first TO carry the fame OF the
Italian stage to other countries and the
last. II may be said. Of the same heroic
stature that the Italian theatre knew
Its heroes to-day are Zacconi and No
velli. who may be called emotional actors.
but are no more OF the school of Salvini
than the actresses o, Italy to-day aie
cast In the mould OF the great Adelaide
Ristori. II was in the famous troupe
Of Ristori tina the younger days OF
Tomaso Salvini were passed.
lie was born In 1929 In Milan. His
father was an actor and his school
was the stage. lie was 10 when his
father died. Then he found employ
ment in the mpa OF Gustavo Mo-
lena and there his talent first showed
itself assertively. or mighty physique,
he was best fitted for tho heroic drama.
He abandoned his profession to fight for
the liberty OF Italy n when he re-
10 the stage II was to act the
leading roles opposite Signora Ristori
in her company. His fame spread ana
u was not long before he was Invited
to act In other countries than his own.
His greatest fame outside OF Italy was
gained as Otheiio. His physical fitness
for tho role combined With the immensely
passionate delivery OF the text made
this Interpretation intelliRible 70 the
audiences OF all countries.
He played here with great success IN
1.-THE Gladiator" and also essdyed lam
let. then tine hero OF la More Clvile.'
and samson" and even Idoo. But he
was most famous In his country III
'Othello' and ia Morte Civile ~
was while acting idoo 10 ms oth'"o
that Edwin Boo, appeared for the iasl
fine on The stage. Salvinl made his
last appearances In this country IN
1893. lie was under engagement to re-
turn here to act with the Llehler Com
pany In 1906. but the contract was
never fulfilled. since his last appear
ances I'm Europe he has been ivlng In
Florence. wher nc was proprietor o,
the Tomaso Sslvini Theatre. but acted
only at rare intervals for charity.
During his visits 10 his country
Salvtni usually acteu WIN OF '"'e""
although on one occasion ne
surrounded by his own compat'
riots. With the exception OF Adelaide
Ris,ori he was the most successful
PLAYER who ever acted here in the Ital-
ian language. He combined no only
the for,d and oratorical style which
brought him success In such parts as
the Gladiator and Ofhello. hut he could
pIay with the intensely modern natural
ness and realism demanded by such
roles as the convict In La Morte
Ciyile." Tie was n striking example o.
what the old school OF acting might
be when u was OF The finest quality.
lie and Edwin Booth appeared IRE
ouently together when Salvin' made his
tours here.
sa,v,ni made II a condition that none
OF his sons should act In italy so long
as he remained on the stage So Gus
was banished 10 the other coun-
tries OF the Continent and acted In
Russia and Austria with some success.
Alexander learned the English
and played In this country until he died
AT an early age. Tomaso Is nov an
actor In Italy and Is said TO have in
herl,ed 10 a greater degree n a any OF
his brothers the talents OF his father.
Salv,ni was married twice: first to
CIementine Cazzola. an eminent italian
actress, who died. leaving him three
small children. Many years later he
married an English woman named Lot
tie Sharr, by whom he had Two chill
dren. His grandchildren hay" at
tracted attention in art and other cir
Giles In Italy.