Comédie-Italienne

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The terms Comédie-Italienne and Théâtre-Italien are names that have been used for Italian-language plays by many troops in France, especially in Paris, since the 16th century. The first visits recorded by Italian actors were troops of the commedia dell'arte employed by the court of queens Catherine de Medici and Marie de Medici. These troops also gave public presentations in Paris at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, probably the first public theatre built in France.

The first official use of the name Comédie-Italienne dates back to 1680, when it was attributed to the troupe to distinguish it from the troupe of the Comédie-Française, founded that year, and in the same way that the name Théâtre-Français was commonly applied to it, the Théâtre-Italien was used for Italians. Over time, sentences, songs, entire scenes and possibly French plays have been incorporated into the Comédie-Italienne's presentations. In 1762 the troupe merged with the Opéra Comique, but the names continued to be used, even though the repertoire soon became...