MANICOMIO: the forgotten diva

Bianca Brogi, the patient who called herself a film actress, came to the San Niccolò asylum in the 1920s. Her interesting career can be read in full here

Le storie del manicomio: Bianca, la diva dimenticata.

Here is an excerpt from her poem "Ricordi di fanciulla"

(In memory of my dear friend Annina Danielli-Magi, who died at the age of 30)

Stanzas 18 to 22

I am very far from Siena I spent my youth now comes autumn Beauty is already fading.

In Italian theatres My song scattered with pleasure Gathering gifts and flowers I loosed this sweet spell. From the glorious laurel I put on my blonde hair And the cheering crowd Each called my name.

Joys, follies, sorrows, marriage, sorrow, I have tried and without a child Then I found myself alone

Alone, sad and silent In this eternal Rome I spend my days as if they were in Auvergne