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Learn How to Pronounce Virna Lisi | YouPronounce.it

How to Pronounce Virna Lisi

Quick Answer: In Italian, the name Virna Lisi is pronounced [ˈvirna ˈliːzi].
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)

Meaning and Context

Virna Lisi, born Virna Pieralisi on November 8, 1936, in Ancona, Italy, was a luminary of Italian and international cinema whose career spanned five decades, celebrated for her breathtaking beauty, profound elegance, and formidable acting talent. She first captivated audiences in the early 1960s as a glamorous star in Italian commedia all'italiana and Hollywood farces, most notably opposite Jack Lemmon in the hit film How to Murder Your Wife (1965). Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Lisi later deliberately shifted away from "blonde bombshell" typecasting, delivering a series of intense, award-winning dramatic performances in European cinema. Her powerful portrayal of Catherine de' Medici in Patrice Chéreau's Queen Margot (1994) earned her the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival and a César Award, cementing her status as a serious and revered actress. Virna Lisi's filmography remains a testament to her skillful navigation of both popular Italian cinema and auteur-driven European movies, leaving an indelible mark as a treasured figure in film history until her passing on December 18, 2014.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling of the actress's name is Virna Lisi, which is the professional surname she adopted. A common point of confusion arises with her birth name, which was Virna Pieralisi. Occasionally, one might encounter the misspelling "Virna Lisa," likely due to a phonetic slip or confusion with the more common name "Lisa." Another frequent typo is "Verna Lisi," substituting an 'e' for the 'i' in her first name. It is also important to note the correct Italian pronunciation, which emphasizes the first syllable of her surname: LEE-see, not LIE-see or LEE-zee. When searching for her work, using the correct spelling "Virna Lisi" is crucial for accurate results, though search engines may sometimes autocorrect minor variants.

Example Sentences

Critics hailed Virna Lisi's transformation from a glamorous icon to a character actress as one of the most compelling second acts in European cinema.

For her chilling performance as the manipulative Catherine de' Medici, Lisi deservedly won the top prize at Cannes.

Many film scholars point to her role in The Girl and the General as a prime example of her early comedic timing and screen presence.

Despite lucrative offers from Hollywood, Lisi chose to return to Italy to pursue more substantive roles in films by directors like Luigi Comencini.

Her enduring legacy is honored in retrospectives that showcase the remarkable breadth of her work, from lighthearted comedies to historical dramas.

Related Pronunciations


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