Francesco Gabrielli

[3] He was particularly famous as a virtuoso musician, who was an accomplished player of a dozen musical instruments.

[4] He is sometimes credited with the creation of Scapino, a musical zanni (servant) role, which he may actually have taken from Niccolò Barbieri.

[6] In 1627 Gabrielli learned that the Duke of Mantua was seeking a company of actors and wrote a letter from Ferrara to Antonio Costantini, the Duke's assistant, offering to bring his family and fellow players to perform in Mantua.

The letter reveals much concerning the difficulties of forming a balanced ensemble and the professional rivalries among actors, both within and between troupes.

[8] Francesco married Spinetta Locatelli, an actress who appeared with him,[9] and they had several children who became actors,[6] including Giulia (seen in Paris as Diana in 1645).