Maria Antonia Scalera Stellini

• Name — Maria Antonia Scalera Stellini • Born — 5 February 1634 • Birthplace — Acquaviva delle Fonti, Italy • Died — 21 September 1704 • Place of death — Ariccia, Italy • Occupation — Poet and playwright • Notable Works — Li divertimenti poetici • Period — 17th century • Illustration — Title page of the first edition of Li divertimenti poetici by Maria Antonia Scalera Stellini, printed in Rome in 1677.

Born into a modest family in Apulia, in southern Italy, Scalera spent her youth in a convent. Following the wishes of her family, she left the convent to be married, but was soon widowed with two children. She remarried the Tuscan Silvestro Stellini, an official of Prince Agostino Chigi, a nephew of Pope Alexander VII, and went to live in their palaces at Ariccia and in Rome. Her poetic works qualified her to be received in the Academy of Arcadia on 20 June 1694, where she was named "Aricia Gnateatide".

In 1677, in Rome, she published a collection of poems in two volumes entitled Li divertimenti poetici ("The poetic entertainments"), which was reprinted in 1706. She also published the plays and musical dramas La Tirannide abbattuta dal trionfo della fede, Serenata spirituale, La ninfa del Tebro, Il trionfo di sant'Agata and Il Coraspe redivivo. The latter was staged in Ariccia in 1683.

Maria Antonia Scalera Stellini is recorded as poet, writer, playwright and dramaturge.