''Francesca da Rimini'' is a 1901 play by the Italian writer Gabriele d'Annunzio. It tells the story of how

Francesca da Rimini Francesca da Rimini or Francesca da Polenta (died between 1283 and 1286) was an Italian noblewoman of Ravenna, who was murdered by her husband, Giovanni Malatesta, upon his discovery of her affair with his brother, Paolo Malatesta. She was a ...

falls in love with her brother-in-law in the 13th century. The play is based on an episode from

Dante Alighieri Dante Alighieri (; most likely baptized Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri; – September 14, 1321), widely known mononymously as Dante, was an Italian Italian poetry, poet, writer, and philosopher. His ''Divine Comedy'', originally called ...

's '' Inferno''. It was written for d'Annunzio's lover

Eleonora Duse Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse ( , ; 3 October 185821 April 1924), often known simply as Duse, was an Italian actress, rated by many as the greatest of her time. She performed in many countries, notably in the plays of Gabriele D'Annunzio and Henr ...

, who played the title role in the original production in 1901. An English translation by

Arthur Symons Arthur William Symons (28 February 186522 January 1945) was a British poet, critic, translator and magazine editor. Life Born in Milford Haven, Wales, to Cornish parents, Symons was educated privately, spending much of his time in France an ...

was published in 1902. It is the basis for

Riccardo Zandonai Riccardo Zandonai (28 May 1883 – 5 June 1944) was an Italian composer and conducting, conductor. Biography Zandonai was born in Borgo Sacco, Rovereto, then part of Austria-Hungary. As a young man, he showed such an aptitude for music that he ...

's 1914 opera ''

''.

References

{{Gabriele D’Annunzio 1901 plays Works based on Inferno (Dante) Plays by Gabriele D'Annunzio Plays set in the 13th century Plays adapted into operas Plays set in Italy Plays based on real people Cultural depictions of Francesca da Rimini