English Italiano

CARO AMICO: CORRESPONDENCE

Pratesi cultivated close friendships with noteworthy individuals throughout his life. In addition to fellow writers, his circle included artists, poets, musicians, educators, academics and politicians, many of whom supported and promoted his work to audiences across Europe. The correspondence in this section reveals both the professional and intimate nature of these relationships.

Piero Barbèra

Piero Barbèra (1854-1921), publisher, was director of the publishing house founded by his father.

Giacomo Barzellotti

Giacomo Barzellotti (1844-1917), positivist philosopher, critic, prolific author, professor (University of Rome) and Italian Senator. He was one of Pratesi’s closest friends.

Arrigo Boito

Arrigo Boito (1842-1918), musician, Italian patriot and poet of the Milanese school called Scapigliatura, he is known for his operatic libretti including for Giuseppe Verdi.

Giosuè Carducci

Giosuè Carducci (1835-1907), renowned Italian writer and poet, he was awarded the Nobel prize for Literature in 1906.

Mary Clotilde Coronaro

Mary Clotilde (dei Marchesi Ricci d’Azeglio) Coronaro (1861-1936), wife of composer Gaetano Coronaro, she and Pratesi became intimately involved. Pratesi’s notes and private thoughts to “my firefly” are directed to her.

Angelo DeGubernatis

Angelo DeGubernatis (1840-1913), prolific writer of themes pertaining to mythology and the culture of the Orient. He is also well known for his biographies of contemporary writers and scholars.

Isidoro Del Lungo

Isidoro Del Lungo (1841-1927), literary critic and linguist, first president of the prestigious literary society Accademia della Crusca.

Alessandro Franchi

Alessandro Franchi (1838-1914), Sienese painter. Among his works are the scenes of the life of St. Catherine of Siena, found in the house and sanctuary of the saint. He was the husband of sculptress and poet Luisa Franchi Mussini.

Elena Cini French

Elena Cini French (1844-1922), the wife of Antonio French, she directed a school for girls in Pistoia, Tuscany. She was also President of various Italian feminist associations in the early 20th century.

Jessie Laussot Hillebrand

Jessie Laussot Hillebrand (née Taylor) (nicknamed Madonna), (1829-1905), the daughter of Edgar Taylor of London, she was among the foremost promoters in Italy of her friend Richard Wagner. Author of a book on music theory (written in Italian), she also founded and directed the Cherubini Choral Society (Florence). Wife of Karl Hillebrand.

Karl Hillebrand

Karl Hillebrand (nicknamed The Fox), (1829-1884), Italophile, historian, author of many volumes. He also wrote on contemporary Italian literature. Husband of Jessie Laussot Hillebrand, a noted promoter of music and musicians, including Richard Wagner.

Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli

Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli (1840-1925), known for her archeological studies. She was the first female member of the prestigious Accademia dei Lincei; she was also an early member of the literary society Accademia della Crusca.

Luisa Franchi Mussini

Luisa Franchi Mussini (1865-1925), sculptress and poet, she was the daughter of painter Luigi Mussini, and the wife of Alessandro Franchi.

Ada Negri

Ada Negri (1870-1945), well-known poet and writer, winner of several literary awards.

Violet Paget

Violet Paget (1856-1935), (pseud.: Vernon Lee), prolific English writer residing in Florence. She promoted Pratesi in England.

Luisa Bruschetti Santandrea

Luisa Bruschetti Santandrea (1890-1963), poet and author, editor of the feminist journal Matelda. Pratesi was her literary mentor.

Sidney Sonnino

Sidney Sonnino (1847-1922), writer and politician, as well as founder and director of various journals. He was Prime Minister of Italy (1906, 1909-10); he retired from politics disillusioned by the situation in which Italy found herself after WWI.

Niccolò Tommaseo

Niccolò Tommaseo (1802-1874), writer, linguist, philosopher and poet. He compiled various dictionaries of the Italian language. Pratesi was his secretary in the late 1860s.

Alice Werner

Alice Werner (1859-1935), born to British parents in Trieste, she translated some of Pratesi’s work into English. Later she became well known for her expertise in Bantu and Swahili language and culture.

Tuscany, Italy
Photography by klau53 at flickr