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Let’s talk about you: what is your background, what do you teach, and what are your research interests?
Piermario Vescovo, I am from Venice (where I graduated and got my PhD in Italian Studies), I have always been interested, in study and practice, in theatre (I started attending the Faculty of Letters and the theatre at l'Avogaria together, in the last year of Giovanni Poli's life, separated only by "un ponte e una calle" ("a bridge and a street") as they say in Venice).

Tell us about your academic path.
I graduated in Italian literature (on theatre subjects) with Giorgio Padoan, and I found other references at Ca' Foscari and outside Ca' Foscari (notably Vittore Branca). I remember the university of that time - not locked up by excessively pre-established programmes and open - with much longing. 

What has given you the greatest satisfaction in your career?
In terms of studies, the work of several decades on Goldoni, Gozzi, Nievo (with three national editions still in progress at Marsilio editori and here the lengthy work together with a passionate scholar and entrepreneur like Cesare De Michelis), the lengthy work on theatrical theory and attention in Italy and outside Italy). In terms of theatrical activities, the work at the Venice Biennale, at Napoli Teatro Festival (with two shows), and now the artistic direction of the Teatro Stabile di Verona.

What are you most passionate about in your research?
Teaching young people and educating scholars (rewarded by the publishing fallout, unfortunately with many drop-outs due to the extremely difficult conditions of finding a space in the university)

Have you always known that this was going to be your path?
More or less yes, even though applying the above 'double entry'.

What do teaching and researching mean to you?
Following a passion and an interest.

Can you offer any advice to researchers in the early stages of their career?
Not much, because if they are 'gifted' they will know how to look around. I would tell them to specialise, but not to lock themselves up in areas that are separate from an overall framework of knowledge and interests. Then, as St Gregory of Nyssa said, "only wonder comprehends anything". Curiosity is the key element.