Casanova’s French networks: transitioning from a backstage coterie to the beau monde

Maria Teodora Comsa

With Giacomo Casanova’s Histoire de ma vie as data source, this chapter traces the creation of his personal network of influence in Paris during his two visits (1750-1752 and 1757-1760). Using performers and especially women performers as conduits to the beau monde, Casanova gains entrance to the most selective intellectual and elite groups of Parisian society. Select examples from his memoirs and analysis of the data derived from them allow for an exploration of Casanova’s Parisian networks’ nature and functioning. The analysis reveals the importance of theatre performers in introducing Casanova to the French Enlightenment network.