Trilussa
Trilussa, born Carlo Alberto Salustri on October 16, 1871, in Rome, is celebrated as one of the foremost Roman dialect poets. Despite a challenging upbringing marked by the early death of his father, he was raised in the home of his aristocratic godfather. Trilussa's literary journey began when he published his first sonnet at the age of sixteen, and he released his first poetry collection, *Le stelle de Roma*, in 1889, which, although poorly received, marked the start of his exploration into dialect poetry. His work often reflected on political themes and societal issues, characterized by a sarcastic tone that critiqued self-interest and corruption, particularly during the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini. Despite not being aligned with Fascism, Trilussa enjoyed significant popularity during this era and published numerous volumes, including his most notable works *Libro muto* (1935) and *Acquo e vino* (1945). After World War II, his health declined, leading to a retreat from public life, but he was honored with a lifetime appointment as senator by President Luigi Einaudi. Trilussa's legacy includes approximately forty-five poetry collections, securing his place as a prolific and influential figure in Italian literature, particularly within the realm of dialect poetry.
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Trilussa
Poet
- Born: October 16, 1871
- Birthplace: Rome, Italy
- Died: December 21, 1950
- Place of death: Rome, Italy
Biography
Trilussa was born Carlo Alberto Salustri to Vincenzo Salustri and Carlotta Podi Salustri on October 16, 1871, in Rome. Trilussa’s father, a waiter, died when the poet was three. Rather than sinking the child into poverty, his father’s death led to Trilussa’s upbringing in the palace of his aristocratic godfather.
Trilussa was not a scholar; he failed out of one secondary school twice and left another at age sixteen. He published his first sonnet in the same year he left school. In 1889, his poetry collection Le stelle de Roma was published, but the book received harsh critical commentary. Nevertheless, the book started Trilussa on a long career of dialect poetry in which he ironically and nonjudgmentally depicted the lower classes of Rome. Although Trilussa was popular with those who read his work, critics did not consider him to be a serious poet. He was out of step with the prevalent literary movements of his day.
Much of Trilussa’s verse often concerned political events and the way people used those events for their own benefit. His protagonists believe in little except their own self-interest. His voice is often sarcastic, and under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, Trilussa found a suitable target for his sarcasm. Although he was not a Fascist himself, and although he directed his mockery at the Fascists, the Fascist Party allowed him to continue his writing, perhaps as a gesture toward freedom of speech or perhaps because the Fascists did not perceive him to be a threat. The years of the Fascist regime, 1922 through 1945, were the years of Trilussa’s greatest popularity with the public. He published some twenty volumes of poems during these years. Moreover, in 1922, Trilussa was invited to join the Arcadia.
His most biting commentary appeared in Libro muto, published in 1935, and in Acquo e vino, published in 1945, although most of the poems in this volume were written during the 1930’s. After World War II, Trilussa retreated from public events, largely due to ill health. Nonetheless, President Luigi Einaudi appointed him a senator for life. He did not live long after the appointment, however; he died on December 21, 1950.
Trilussa is remembered as one of the best of the Roman dialect poets, in spite of critical antipathy and neglect. With some forty-five books of poetry to his credit, he was also one of the most prolific and popular writers of verse of his time.