Ernesto Rossi was a famous Italian actor of the 19th century. Born on March 27, 1827, in Livorno, he began his stage career in 1846 with a traveling troupe. The actor and impresario Gustavo Modena played a leading role in his artistic development, being renowned for his ability to discover new talents. Initially, Rossi performed in works by romantic playwrights (such as Silvio Pellico and Giovanni Battista Niccolini). However, his best and most famous roles were Shakespearean heroes: Hamlet (a role he performed from 1856 until the end of his life), Othello, Macbeth, Romeo, King Lear, and Coriolanus. From 1855, Rossi toured extensively across Europe, America, the Ottoman Empire, and Egypt. He frequently visited the Russian Empire, where he earned the highest praise from Russian theatre critics, performing alongside masters such as Andrea Maggi and Gustavo Salvini. The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum's online collection features photographs and sketches depicting Ernesto Rossi in his roles, as well as archival documents reflecting his creative legacy and connection to Russian theatre culture.