Gabriele D'Annunzio

Gabriele D'Annunzio

The most complete English translation of Gabriele D'Annunzio's poetical works, together with the full original texts. Gabriele D'Annunzio, Prince of Montenevoso, Duke of Gallese (12 March 1863 - 1 March 1938), was an Italian poet, journalist, playwright and soldier during World War I. He occupied a prominent place in Italian literature from 1889 to 1910 and later political life from 1914 to 1924. He was often referred to under the epithets Il Vate ("the Poet") or Il Profeta ("the Prophet"). During the First World War, perception of D'Annunzio in Italy transformed from literary figure into a national war hero. He was associated with the elite Arditi storm troops of the Italian Army and took part in actions such as the Flight over Vienna. As part of an Italian nationalist reaction against the Paris Peace Conference, he set up the short-lived Italian Regency of Carnaro in Fiume (Rijeka, today's Croatia) with himself as Duce. The constitution made "music" the fundamental principle of the state and was corporative in nature. Though D'Annunzio never declared himself a fascist, he has been described as the forerunner of Italian fascism as his ideas and aesthetics influenced it and the style of Benito Mussolini.