Carolina Cristofori Piva

The “Lidia” of Odi Barbare written by Giosue Carducci. Carolina completed her studies in Verona and then moved to Milan; marrying Domenico Piva. The passionate relationship between Giosue and Lina lasted from 1872 until 1878, according to their substantial letter-writing –587 letters from Carducci— a testimonial diary that their relationship was not only of love but also of intellect. Grief striken by the death of her oldest son, she died in Bologna, assisted by Carducci her memory is sung in Primavere elleniche (1872) and in Odi barbare (1877). She is buried at the Certosa cemetery of Bologna, Loggia del Colombario, west side, burial 172.

The epigraph of her tombsone reads: ALLA MEMORIA / DI / CAROLINA PIVA NATA CRISTOFORI / D'INDOLE D'INGEGNO DI COLTURA / SINGOLARE / MANCATA IL XXV FEBBR. MDCCCLXXXI / NEL VIGOR DELLA ETA' / E NEL MAGGIOR UOPO / AI FIGLIOLETTI E AL MARITO / MAGG. GENER. DOMENICO PIVA / CHE / RAMMARICANDO POSE

Translation from italian language by Holly Bean.