1840 |
2 September. Giovanni Verga was born in Catania, Sicily. His family were landowners and members of the minor nobility. |
1848/9 |
Year of Revolutions in Italy. |
1857 |
Wrote his first novel, “Amore e Patria” (unpublished). |
1858 |
Enroles as a student of law at Catania University. |
1859 |
Beginning of the Italian War of Independence. |
1860 |
Insurrections in Sicily in April are followed by the arrival of Garibaldi and his volunteers who take Sicily from the Bourbons. Verga joins the National Guard founded after the arrival of Garibaldi. He is one of the founders and the editor, of the weekly political magazine, Roma degli Italiani. |
1861 |
The Bourbons are forced out of Naples, and Garibaldi surrenders Naples and Sicily to Victor Emanuel, the Piedmontese king. In plebiscites the people of Southern Italy vote to be part of the newly formed Italian Kingdom under Victor Emanuel. Verga abandons his legal studies and publishes his first novel, “I Carbonari della Montagna,” at his own expense. |
1863 |
His patriotic novel, “Sulle lagune”, is published in a magazine. His father dies. |
1864 |
Florence becomes the new capital of Italy, replacing Turin. |
1865 |
Verga’s first visit to Florence. He becomes a frequent visitor and takes up permanent residence in 1869. |
1866 |
The Austrians retreat from Venice which becomes part of Italy. His novel, “Una Peccatrice” is published. |
1869 |
Settles in Florence, where he meets Luigi Capuana, the realist writer and theorist. Begins an affair with the 18 year old, Giselda Foljanesi. |
1870 |
Rome is taken, and becomes the Italian capital in 1871. |
1871 |
Zola’s “La Fortune de Rougon”, the first book in the Rougon-Macquart cycle, is published. Zola’s theories and Naturalism become increasingly important and controversial in Italy. Verga publishes “Storia di una capinera”, which is an immediate success. |
1872 |
Goes to live in Milan, where he spends most of the next 20 years. Frequents the literary salons of the city, making a name for himself in the capital of Italian publishing. Giselda Foljanesi marries the Catanese poet Mario Rapisardi. |
1873 |
“Eva” is published, and is criticized for its immorality. |
1874/6 |
“Tigre Reale”, “Eros”, and the novella “Nedda” are published. |
1877 |
“L’Assommoir” of Zola is published and has an overwhelming influence in Italy. Verga publishes his collected short stories, “Prima vera e altri racconti.” |
1878 |
His mother dies, to whom he was greatly attached. |
1880 |
“Vita dei Campi” is published. Visits Giselda Foljanesi. |
1881 |
“I Malavoglia” is published. Verga is disappointed by its lack of success. Begins an affair with countess Dina Castellazi, who is married and in her twenties. It lasts most of his life. |
1883 |
Goes to Paris, and visits Zola at Meridan. Also goes to London. Publishes “Novelle Rusticane” and the novel “Il Marito di Elena”, and “Per le Vie”. Visits Catania where he sees Giselda Foljanesi. In December Rapisardi discovers a compromising letter from Verga to his wife, and so Giselda is forced to leave and settle in Florence. |
1884 |
The play of “Cavalleria Rusticana” is put on with great success in Turin, with Eleonora Dusa playing Santuzza. The end of Verga’s affair with Giselda Foljanesi. |
1886–7 |
Passes most of his time at Rome. The publication of a French translation of “I Malavoglia” is without success. |
1888 |
Returns to live in Sicily. |
1889 |
“Mastro-don Gesualdo” is published and is an immediate success. D’Annunzio publishes his novel, “Il Piacere”. |
1890 |
Mascagni’s one act opera of “Cavalleria Rusticana” is put on and enjoys an overwhelming success. Verga sues Mascagni and Sonzogno for his share of the royalties. |
1891 |
Publishes a volume of stories, “I Ricordi del capitano d’Arce”. Wins his case in the Court of Appeal, getting 143,000 lire, (which was a large sum then and put an end to the financial problems which had beset him). |
1895 |
Goes with Capuana to visit Zola in Rome. |
1896 |
The defeat at Adua puts an end to Italy’s colonial expansion. Verga criticizes the demonstrations against the war. Begins writing the third novel in his “I Vinti” cycle, “La Duchessa di Leyra”, but never completes it. |
1898 |
There are riots in Milan, after the price of bread is increased, which are violently put down by the army. Verga applauds their actions as a defence of society and its institutions. |
1900–3 |
Various of his plays are put on, but Verga’s energies turn away from his writing to managing his business interests and living quietly in Sicily. |
1915 |
Declares himself in favour of Italian involvement in WW1, and anti-pacificism. |
1920 |
His eightieth birthday is celebrated in Rome and Catania. In November he becomes a senator. |
1922 |
27 January Verga dies in Catania. Mussolini comes to power. |
1925/28 |
D.H. Lawrence translates “Mastro Don Gesualdo” and “Novelle Rusticane” into English. |
1984 |
Dedalus European Classics begins with D.H. Lawrence’s translation of “Mastro Don Gesualdo”. |