Sins of the Parents: Alba de Céspedes’ and Agostino degli Espinosa’s Gli affetti di famiglia

ABSTRACT Drawing on archival material found at the Fondazione Mondadori in Milan, the Archivio Centrale dello Stato in Rome, and the Museo Biblioteca dell’Attore in Genoa, this article recovers and discusses the 1952 play Gli affetti di famiglia, written by Alba de Céspedes and Agostino degli Espinosa. The article focuses on the contribution of degli Espinosa; the several drafts of the play; its themes, characters, and theatrical influences, from Greek tragedy to Filumena Marturano; its references to ancient myths and Christian texts; its reception; and, finally, its position within de Céspedes’ dramatic production.