SHEEHY, HELEN — Eleonora Duse: A Biography

NY: Alfred A. Knopf / A Borzoi Book, 2003. 0375400176. Stated First Edition. First Printing. Hardcover. ISBN: 0375400176. Biography of Eleonora Duse, the exceptional Italian theatre artist who was the muse for Checkov, Ibsen, Rilke and others. Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse (1858 – 1924), often known simply as Duse, was an Italian actress, rated by many as the greatest of her time. She performed in many countries, notably in the plays of Gabriele d'Annunzio and Henrik Ibsen. Duse achieved a unique power of conviction and verity on the stage through intense absorption in the character, "eliminating the self" as she put it, and letting the qualities emerge from within, not imposed through artifice. Both the volume and the unclipped dust jacket are in perfect, pristine condition; unread, unmarked, tight, square, and clean. AS NEW/AS NEW.. Photographs. Large 8vo 9" - 10" tall. xv, 380 pp. As New in As New dust jacket .