Born: 1755, Poland
Died: 30 November 1831
Country most active: Poland
Also known as: Agnieszka Marunowska
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Under the direction of the distinguished Polish artist, Bogiislawski, the National Theatre of Poland underwent a period of great development at the end of the Eighteenth century. In 1778, Maciej Kamienski’s first Polish Opera was produced, and many other Polish dramas and comedies. At this time, a new theatrical star appeared, the talented Agnieszka Marjanna Truskolawska. At the age of thirteen, she had become a pupil of the renowned Polish actor, Thomas Truskolaski, whom she married when she was sixteen. Two years later she made her professional debut at the Warsaw Theatre, where she aroused great enthusiasm and won for herself a great following. Beside innate dramatic ability, Truskolawska possessed ideal physical beauty: grace of movement, regular features, very expressive eyes, and an unusually melodious and vibrant voice, with perfection of diction and nuance of tone. In each role, even the most insignificant, she interpreted the author’s meaning to the fullest extent, and even added to it in depth of feeling. Her interpretation of comedy and tragedy possessed originality of expression, and fascinated not only the Polish public, but also visitors from other countries, of whom there were many in Warsaw at that time. Her greatest triumphs were achieved in classical roles of drama and tragedy. She retired from the stage in 1811, at the height of her career, making her final appearance in the role of Queen Bona in the tragedy Barbara Radziwill. She died in 1831, leaving an undimmed reputation as a great artist.