Luigi Rasi et l’École Royale de Déclamation de Florence (1882-1918). Relations inédites entre théâtre, culture et institutions académiques

This article focuses on the teaching activity of Luigi Rasi, director of the Royal Decla- mation School in Florence between 1882 and 1918. In the context of a heterogeneous and decentralized theatrical system, the School of Florence proposed a third option, between working as dilettantes or “enfants de la balle” (actors being born into a family of artists who got an early start in the profession as children), for artists to choose. Indeed, the School of Florence not only offered artistic training while encouraging connections and experiences in a contemporary European context, but at the same time was atten- tive to the cultural traditions of the past. Between public speaking, reading aloud and renewing the repertoire, Rasi’s role provided a fundamental step, though still underesti- mated, toward professionalization of theatrical pedagogy in Italy.