Virginio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano
| Virginio Orsini | |
|---|---|
Virginio Orsini by unknown Florentine painter | |
| Duke of Bracciano | |
| Reign | 1585–1615 |
| Predecessor | Paolo Giordano I Orsini |
| Successor | Paolo Giordano II Orsini |
| Born | 11 September 1572 |
| Died | 9 September 1615 (aged 42) Rome |
| Spouse | |
| Issue Among others | Paolo Giordano II Orsini Alessandro Orsini Maria Felicia Orsini |
| House | Orsini |
| Father | Paolo Giordano I Orsini |
| Mother | Isabella de' Medici |
Virginio Orsini (11 September 1572 – 9 September 1615) was the second Duke of Bracciano, member of the Orsini family and knight of the order of the Golden Fleece.
He was the son of Paolo Giordano I Orsini and Isabella de' Medici, and inherited his father's titles and fiefs after his death in 1585. In 1589 he married Flavia Peretti, a niece of Pope Sixtus V, by whom he had 12 children. His son Paolo Giordano became a prince of the Holy Roman Empire through his marriage with Isabella Appiani, princess of Piombino.
Virginio Orsini was a supporter of the Earl of Essex and visited the English court for the Christmas revels in December 1600. He was entertained by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and the play opens with the character of Duke Orsino saying the famous line "If music be the food of love, play on." Queen Elizabeth danced a galliard for him to show the "vigour of her old age".
He died in Rome in 1615.