A Passion for Performance

"Renowned for her majestic beauty and impassioned performances, the English actress Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) revolutionized the aesthetics of eighteenth century theater while inventing a complex public persona to promote her fame. Her flair for self-presentation was matched by the showmanship of the many artists who portrayed her." "The three lively essays in this volume - by Robyn Asleson, Shelley Bennett and Mark Leonard, and Shearer West - explore Siddons's life and career, as well as her complex relationships with a number of artists."--BOOK JACKET.