Allure and Ideology in the Poetry of Gabriele D\u27Annunzio: Rediscovering Italian Art Song in Pre-Fascist Italy (1900-1930)

Italian music of the early 20th century was dominated by opera. However, many composers, including Gian Francesco Malipiero, Ildebrando Pizzetti, Renato Brogi, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Giacomo Orefice, Ottorino Respighi, Alfredo Casella, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Franco Casavola, and Salvatore Musella, set out to create a national identity in art song. These composers found inspiration in part by the poetry and nationalistic spirit of Gabriele D\u27Annunzio. This study intends to provide historical background and context on the poet as well as the composers. It will also include brief analysis of the music and complete translations of the texts. Research on Italian song between 1900 and 1930 is limited, so an analysis of these songs will be an aid to singers for further study of this repertoire. A better understanding of the poet and these composers should, hopefully, encourage singers to include Italian songs from this time on their recitals