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Lyda Borelli
Lyda Borelli, ca. 1900s.jpg
Born
Lyda Borelli

(1884-03-22)22 March 1884
Genoa, Kingdom of Italy
Died 2 June 1959(1959-06-02) (aged 75)
Rome, Italy
Occupation Actress
Years active 1902–1918
Spouse(s)
Vittorio Cini, Count of Monselice
(m. 1918)
Children 4

Lyda Borelli (born March 22, 1884 – died June 2, 1959) was a famous Italian actress. She starred in both movies and stage plays. Her acting career began when she was very young. She even performed on stage with Paola Pezzaglia in a French play called I due derelitti.

Lyda Borelli's Life

Lyda Borelli was born on March 22, 1884. Her parents, Napoleone Borelli and Cesira Banti Borelli, were also stage actors. Lyda had an older sister named Alda, who was also an actress.

Early Career and Fame

Lyda started acting on stage in 1902. By the time she was 18, she was already getting the main roles in plays. She became a favorite actress of a famous writer named Gabriele D’Annunzio. In 1904, she starred in his play La Figlia di Jorio. D'Annunzio even dedicated some of his books to her.

By 1908, Lyda Borelli was a huge fashion icon. People started using terms like "Borellismo" and "Borelleggiare." These words described how women tried to pose, dress, and move just like Lyda Borelli.

Film Career and Retirement

In 1913, Lyda Borelli made her first movie, Ma l'amor mio non muore. It was directed by Mario Caserini, who was known as the best Italian silent film director. She starred alongside Mario Bonnard.

Between 1913 and 1918, Lyda made 14 films and appeared in 2 documentaries. She often played characters known as "vamps." These were mysterious and charming women. Her acting style included lots of dramatic gestures, sad expressions, and dreamy looks. A writer named Antonio Gramsci once said her acting showed a very strong kind of emotion.

In 1918, when she was at the peak of her career, Lyda Borelli decided to retire from acting. She married Vittorio Cini, who was a Count. They had four children together: Giorgio, Mynna, and twins Ylda and Yana.

Family Life and Legacy

Vittorio Cini, Lyda's husband, was involved in Italian politics and business for many years. He held important positions during the time of Benito Mussolini's rule. In 1943, he was briefly a minister but soon resigned. He was later arrested and sent to a camp. His son, Giorgio, helped get him released by offering valuable items.

Sadly, Giorgio died in a plane crash in 1949. After his death, Vittorio created the Cini Foundation to honor his son's memory. This foundation helps with cultural and artistic projects.

Lyda Borelli passed away on June 2, 1959. She was buried in Ferrara Charterhouse next to her son. Her husband, Vittorio, was buried with them when he died in 1977. One of her daughters, Yana, was also buried there in 1989, along with her husband in 2017.

Filmography

  • Ma l'amor mio non muore (1913)
  • La memoria dell'altro (1913)
  • La donna nuda (1914)
  • Fior di male (1915)
  • Rapsodia satanica (1915)
  • La marcia nuziale (1915)
  • La falena (1916)
  • Madame Tallien (1916)
  • Malombra (1917)
  • Carnevalesca (1917)
  • Il dramma di una notte, also known as Una notte a Calcutta, (1917)
  • La storia dei tredici (1917)
  • La leggenda di Santa Barbara (1918)

Artworks

  • Portrait of Lyda Borelli, painting by Giuseppe Amisani oil on cardboard, 29.5 cm × 29 cm (11.6 in × 11.4 in)
  • Portrait of Lyda Borelli, painting by Cesare Tallone oil on canvas

Gallery

Images for kids

See also

  • Romolo Manissero
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