Luigi Pirandello

Pirandello is best known for one of the twentieth century’s key plays. One of Valéry’s extensive set of acquaintances, he was also friendly with Pound. The composer Casella and artist de Chirico were fellow-members of a Rome theatrical circle; Zweig corresponded with him about a German translation of his last play. An acrimonious debate with Croce about reflection in art was triggered by publication of an essay of Pirandello’s, about humour. Negotiations with Reinhardt to make a film based on a related idea to his most famous play (von Sternberg directing, Pirandello playing ‘the author’) foundered after Pirandello’s death.