Fra Diavolo
Fra Diavolo (Italian: Brother Devil ), actually Michele Pezza (born April 7, 1771 in Itri ; † November 11, 1806 in Naples ), was a brigand and fighter against French supremacy in southern Italy at the time of Napoleon .
Fra Diavolo , who was originally a monk or at least dressed as such, joined a band of muggers in his youth , of which he soon became leader. In 1799 he was pardoned by Cardinal Ruffo because he joined the struggle against the French-dominated Parthenopean Republic and the restoration of the monarchy. He received the rank of colonel and wore uniform at least at times . Even after the French conquered Naples again in 1806, thanks to his knowledge of the area, he initially successfully waged guerrilla warfare against the French and their supporters. Finally, in the autumn of 1806, he was captured by the French in the small town of Baronissi and hanged in Naples .
In the arts
His life was often used as a subject in the arts.
As a template for the opera Fra Diavolo by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber , text by Eugène Scribe (first performed in Paris in 1830)
As a template for several films:
- 1912: Fra Diavolo
- 1925: Fra Diavolo
- 1931: Fra Diavolo
- 1933: The Devil's Brother , with Stan Laurel (Stanlio), Oliver Hardy (Ollivero), Dennis King (Fra Diavolo / Marquis de San Marco)
- 1942: Fra Diavolo , directed by Luigi Zampa
- 1962: La Leggenda di Fra Diavolo , with Tony Russel (Fra Diavolo), Haya Harareet (Fiamma), Mario Adorf (Nardone)
- 1963: Fall for Fra Diavolo ( I tramboni de Fra Diavolo ), with Ugo Tognazzi (Sergente Visicato), Raimondo Vianello (Tenente Salimei), Francisco Rabal (Fra Diavolo)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Fra Diavolo |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Brother devil; Pezza, Michele (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian mugger and resistance fighter |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 7, 1771 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Itri |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 11, 1806 |
| Place of death | Naples |