Canto novo

poetry by D’Annunzio

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June 22, 2026

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Canto novo is a collection of poems by Gabriele D'Annunzio, published in 1882. It is characterized by its exuberance and passionate, sensuous descriptions. D'Annunzio was a prominent Italian writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his poetry, novels, and plays. His work often explored themes of sensuality and nature, with Canto novo showcasing his early talent for capturing youthful intensity and a love for both nature and women. This collection is distinct from the dolce stil novo (sweet new style) of earlier Italian love poetry, which focused on precise and sincere expression of love, with poets like Dante and Guido Cavalcanti.12

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Gabriele D’Annunzio
The poems in Canto novo (1882; “New Song”) had more individuality and were full of exuberance and passionate, sensuous descriptions. The autobiographical novel Il piacere (1889; The Child of Pleasure) introduces the first of D’Annunzio’s passionate Nietzschean superman heroes; another appears in L’innocente (1892; The Intruder). D’Annunzio had…
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The poems in Canto novo (1882; “New Song”) had more individuality and were full of exuberance and passionate, sensuous descriptions. The autobiographical novel Il piacere (1889; The Child of Pleasure) introduces the first of D’Annunzio’s passionate Nietzschean superman heroes; another appears in L’innocente (1892; The Intruder). D’Annunzio had…
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