News
Adela Marculescu has passed away
The world of Romanian theater has lost a great figure. The great actress Adela Mărculescu, a figure of exceptional distinction whose elegance, discipline, and passion left their mark on entire generations of theatergoers, has passed away.
Trained under the guidance of Alexandru Finți (class of 1959), Adela Mărculescu became an actress at the “I.L. Caragiale” National Theater in Bucharest in 1964, a stage to which she remained loyal for more than 60 years and which she served with exemplary dedication until the very end of her life.
From her debut on the National Theater’s stage in “Înșir'te mărgărite” (1964), Adela Mărculescu portrayed dozens of characters from Romanian and world theater, collaborating with the greatest Romanian directors:
She played Aglaia Epanchina in F.M. Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot” (directed by Alexandru Finți, 1969), Ana in “Take, Ianke, and Cadîr” (directed by Ion Finteșteanu, 1971), Dona Diana in the play of the same name by Camil Petrescu (1973), Margareta Aldea in “The Magpies” by Al. Kirițescu (1977), and Mioara in "The Idol and Ion Anapoda" (directed by Ion Cojar, 1985).
She made her mark on the history of Romanian theater with her portrayal of Clytemnestra in the memorable production “Electra—An Ancient Trilogy” (1990), an internationally acclaimed staging directed by Andrei Șerban.
She shone in roles of great psychological depth, such as Tituba in "The Crucible" (directed by Felix Alexa, 1991), Stela Campbell in “Dear Liar” (1998), Olga in “The Chekhov Machine” by Matei Vișniec (2003), and Alexandra del Lago in “The Sweet Bird of Youth” by Tennessee Williams (2005).
Adela Mărculescu was passionately devoted to the theater with exemplary vitality, refusing to leave the stage she loved so much. Until this year, audiences enjoyed her presence on stage in the current repertoire of the National Theater in Bucharest: Mrs. Boyle in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” (directed by Erwin Șimșensohn) and Chiriachița in Tudor Mușatescu’s “Titanic Waltz” (directed by Dan Tudor).
She has starred in numerous films (“Seven Boys and a Tomboy,” “Declaration of Love,” “Hello, Great-Grandma’s Here!,” “The Sisters”), earning recognition for her distinction, the elegance of her performances, and her unmistakable voice.
Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Cultural Merit (Officer class), the title of Honorary Citizen of the Capital, and the Gopo Lifetime Achievement Award (2020).
The remains of the great actress will lie in state tomorrow (July 24) at St. George’s Church in Bucharest, where all those who admired her, applauded her, and were moved by her art will be able to pay their final and heartfelt respects beginning at 12 p.m.
The funeral will take place at Bellu Cemetery on Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m.
With the passing of Adela Mărculescu, the curtain falls on an entire golden age of Romanian theater. We bow with deep gratitude in her memory.
May God rest her soul in peace! Our condolences to her grieving family!
Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu
