The journey to Italy of Mlle Raucourt, actress-ambassador at Napoleon's theatre

Abstract

Napoleon made his passion for theatre a privileged instrument of his cultural policies: the emperor was well aware of the influence that theatre could exert on the masses, and he did everything to promote its development and maintain control, not only in France but in all provinces of the Empire, with the aim of disseminating the French language and culture. In July 1806, the emperor signed a decree outlining the organization of French performances in Italy. The mission to spread French theatre in Italy is entrusted, among others, to Mlle Raucourt, a star of the Comédie-Française, often considered eccentric by her contemporaries.. This article will delve into an analysis of Raucourt's time in Italy, focusing on the reception of the French repertoire in cities influenced by this celebrated figure.