Francesco Gabrielli (1588–1636)[2] was an Italian actor of the commedia dell'arte.[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.[5] Gabrielli first appears as a member of the troupe of the Accesi in 1612, is later recorded as a member of the Confidenti, and in 1624 was with the Fedeli in Paris (under the direction of Giovan Battista Andreini), before rejoining the Accesi.[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.[7]
Francesco Gabrielli was the son of the well known commedia dell'arte actor Giovanni Gabrielli (known as Sivello).[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).[4] It is uncertain whether Girolamo Gabrielli (a famous Pantalone) and Ippolita Gabrielli (a troupe manager in 1663) were his children.[4]