Formation and members The Gelosi are first recorded as performing in Milan in 1568. Their organization functioned without a head of directors, similarly, ''commedia dell'arte'', the form of theatre that the troupe performed operates without a script or predetermined directions. Many of the original members of the troupe were also associated with the troupe of
Zan Ganassa. When Ganassa left for Spain, some of his actors remained in Italy and reformed under the Gelosi title, with Flaminio Scala as the first director of the new troupe. Francesco Andreini, is first heard of in the troupe in 1576, and succeeded Scala as director in 1578, though Scala remained with the troupe. Vittoria Piisimi was the group's first Prima Donna, while also directing for I Gelosi, and later, I Confidenti, and I Uniti. Vittoria left the troupe to join I Confidenti, and there were rumors that the group's banishment from Mantua was of her doing; the Confidenti were the troupe patronized by the Duke of Mantua, and the actress may have influenced his decision. The troupe, as with most of the era, always contained between 10 and 12 members, with most remaining in the troupe during their "Golden Age" in the late 16th Century. Despite the troupe's issues and personal problems, they were required to treat one and another with dignity and respect on stage.
Travels to France The Gelosi avoided sponsorship from a sole source; this prevented them from being tied down to a single location, allowing them to travel across Europe and spread the style of
commedia. They are the first troupe to be heard of in France, which was their most frequent destination and which earned them massive success on separate occasions, despite heavy resistance within the country.
1571 I Gelosi's first recorded travel to France, at the invitation of the Duke of Nevers. Performed in front of English Dukes and Ambassadors, and later King
Charles IX. Forced to leave after prohibitions were put in place by Parliament against acting in public, likely to protect the monopoly of the
Confrerie de la Passion. 1577–1578 Organized a caravan to travel to France at the behest of King Henri III. The troupe was captured en route by Huguenots, who were embroiled in conflict with the French Government. Henri III ransomed the players, recouping the money lost from admission costs in Lois and Paris. They were again banned from performing by the
Confrerie de la Passion, on the basis of vulgarity and bawdry. Henri III again bailed the group out, and they continued performing until their departure in 1578.
1588 Returned again to the court of Henri III. Were again subjected to parliamentary prohibition. Their departure was likely motivated by increasing rebellion amongst the populace, as well as the murder of the Duke of Guise, who was close to Henri III and indicated those within the King's court were not smart to remain. ==See also==