History

The Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore was established in 1966 as part of the Teatro Stabile di Genova, initiated by Ivo Chiesa, Alessandro d’Amico, and Luigi Squarzina. It was created to house the papers, books, and theatrical memorabilia of the Salvini family, donated by Guido Salvini’s widow, Ida Fontana. In the following year, the vast Adelaide Ristori Collection was donated by heir Giuliano Capranica del Grillo.

Its initial location was the Teatrino in Piazza Marsala.

The first President was Augusto Pedullà, with Alessandro D’Amico serving as Director, supported by Teresa Viziano and Alessandro Tinterri.

Irma Capranica del Grillo (and her heirs), Ivo Chiesa, Alessandro d’Amico, and Luigi Squarzina were appointed lifetime advisors.

President Eugenio Pallestrini , the current President , started his activity in 2007, andi also was the President of the Teatro Stabile di Genova from 2006 to 2016.

In 2023, Alessandro Tinterri, a former academic in Theater History at the University of Perugia, was as Director.

Previous presidencies are commemorated in another section of the website.

In 1971, the Museum became independent from the Teatro Stabile, though it continued to collaborate with it. The foundation “Civico Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore del Teatro Stabile di Genova” was established with founding members including the Municipality, the Province, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Teatro Stabile di Genova.

In 1976, the institution was granted legal recognition.

In 1982, the historic headquarters at Villetta Serra, renovated by the Municipality of Genoa, was inaugurated in the presence of Mayor Fulvio Cerofolini.

In 1994, the Regional Government of Liguria recognized the Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore as a “Cultural Institution of Regional Interest.”

In 2013 Eugenio Pallestrini secured a new location at Via del Seminario 10 from the Municipality of Genoa, significantly expanding its space and operations.

Over the years, the Museum saw a reduction in its founding members: the Province ended its association due to national administrative changes, and the Chamber of Commerce withdrew for legal reasons. The remaining founding members are the Municipality and the National Theatre.

In 2016, the University of Genoa entered into an institutional collaboration with the Museum through the first University-Museum Agreement, signed by the University Rector Paolo Comanducci and President of the Museum, along with the Municipality and the Theatre.

In 2022, the Museum was entrusted with the Bicentennial Celebrations of Adelaide Ristori, which became a UNESCO Anniversary for 2022-2023. The Museum President was responsible for organizing the events, supported by a scientific committee led by Livia Cavaglieri, a professor at the University of Genoa, and in collaboration with museum staff (Ricaldone, Parodi, Lunardini). A significant exhibition of Ristori’s costumes was held at Palazzo Lomellino , and the Museum participated in an international academic conference in both Genoa and Milan.

In 2023, the University-Museum Agreement was renewed, though without the participation of the Municipality and the Theatre, and with some statutory modifications. It was signed solely by University Rector Federico Delfino and Museum President .