Behind the Scenes of the Comédie-Italienne Marivaux and Silvia

This article focuses on the professional relationship between Marivaux and Jeanne Benozzi Balletti, Silvia, the diva of Parisian stage and his ideal performer between 1720 and 1740. The archival documents allow us to reconstruct the style of the actress and to consider her role in the dramaturgical production of this author, who recognised her potential and made her express a certain je ne sais quoi that embodied the unique and perfectly Italian character of the Commedia dell’Arte.