Knowledge and recognition of the actor: letters from an expatriate actor to the Favart couple

Abstract

This contribution proposes the publication of previously unreleased correspondence involving the Favart couple. Specifically, these letters were originally addressed to Charles-Simon Favart and later to his wife, Justine Duronceray, spanning from January 1761 to August 1764 by their childhood friend, Lespine de Morembert. These letters offer biographical and sociological insights, detailing the unconventional career of a French actor in Russia. They also shed light on the diverse expertise of expatriate actors, including aspects of dramatic writing and espionage. Four out of nine letters, housed at the National Library of France, were incompletely published in 1808. This contribution aims to rectify and complete that publication.