Rosa Taddei

Rosa Taddei (August 30, 1799 – March 3, 1869) was an Italian actress and poet, celebrated as one of the foremost improvisatrici of the nineteenth century. She was also known by her married name Rosa Mozzidolfi and wrote under the pastoral pen name Licori Partenopea as a member of the Academy of the Arcadians.

Early life and family Although Taddei considered herself a Neapolitan, her birthplace has been reported variously as Naples, Trento, and Corato in Apulia. receiving the Arcadian name Licori Partenopea — a classicizing pseudonym evoking the ancient Greek name for Naples (Parthenope), reflecting her Neapolitan identity. She was also a member of the Accademia Spoletina of Spoleto.

In 1832, she performed at various academies in Venice during the carnival season; a record of this is preserved in the frontispiece illustration associated with her work Arcadia Parthenopean Liquors.

Personal life In 1832, Taddei married Vincenzo Mozzidolfi, described as an educated man well-versed in foreign languages.