Episode 1
Lucy Hughes-Hallett charts the life of the Italian politician and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. One man's attempt to build a utopia becomes a story about the birth of fascism.
Haydn Gwynne reads from Lucy Hughes-Hallett's biography of this remarkable Italian poet and political agitator whose words triggered riots. Once d'Annunzio's fame as a great wordsmith was established he used it unashamedly to sell his work, seduce women and promote his extreme political views.
In 1915, d'Annunzio's incendiary oratory helped drive Italy to war. In 1919 he led a troop of mutineers into the Croatian port of Fiume and established a delinquent city-state. Futurists, anarchists, communists and proto-fascists descended, as did literati and thrill-seekers, to experience d'Annunzio's utopian experiment.
One man's attempt to build a utopia becomes a story about the birth of fascism.
Abridged by Penny Leicester
Produced by Gemma Jenkins.
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Clips
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Who was d'Annunzio?
Duration: 03:09
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D'Annunzio the seducer
Duration: 02:38
Music details
Track 13: Etude in D sharp minor, Op. 8, No.12
Composer: Alexander Scriabin
Performer: Garrick Ohlsson
Label: Bridge Records
Broadcasts
- Mon 21 Jan 2013 09:45麻豆社 Radio 4 FM
- Tue 22 Jan 2013 00:30麻豆社 Radio 4
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