SOURCE: “Alfieri's America Libera,” in Romance Notes, Vol. 12, No. 2, Spring, 1971, pp. 357-63.

In the following essay, Illiano asserts that the motifs of America Libera are symbolic of Alfieri's political beliefs.

Alfieri conceived America libera late in 1781, while reading Filicaia's patriotic lyrics. He felt suddenly inspired and d'un fiato, overstepping his usual methodology of composition, wrote the first four odes of a lyrical poem in praise of the American revolution: “Ode prima: Accenna le cagioni della guerra,” “Ode seconda: Annovera i popoli belligeranti,” “Ode terza: Parla del Sig. de La Fayette,” and “Ode quarta: Commenda il Generale Washington.”¹

It was a noble revolution, worthy of a noble address; so he wrote with elated enthusiasm and with a markedly Alfierian emphasis that blends and harmonizes sources as diverse as Dante, Petrarca, Tasso, and Filicaia. He began by voicing his exhaltation in a romantic flight to the shores of innocence.² Then...