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Michele Novaro was born in Genoa, in the first half of the 19th century. The exact date of his birth is uncertain. Some claim he was born in 1818, while others mention 1822. There is also confusion about the day and month of his birth.

Little is known about his life. As the first of five children, he was aligned with Mazzini’s ideals and had a modest career as a soprano. He dedicated himself to composing music for patriotic operas. Novaro passed away in 1885, facing economic difficulties due to various health problems.

Michele Novaro and “Il Canto degli Italiani”

Why should we be interested in a relatively unknown figure, of humble nature, who led a modest life? Well, he is more present in our lives today than we might think.

In 1847, Michele Novaro was in Turin with a contract as a second tenor for the Teatro Carignano and the Teatro Alfieri. He was a guest at Via XX Settembre, hosted by another Turin patriot, Lorenzo Valerio. That year, on November 10, 1847, he received “Il Canto degli Italiani” from Goffredo Mameli (another Genoese) with a request to set it to music.

Novaro immediately set to work, and that same evening, he completed the music for what would become the Italian National Anthem. There is some doubt about the exact location where he composed the anthem. Certainly, at least part of the work was done at Via XX Settembre, at Valerio’s residence (entrance at number 6 on Via Barbaroux).

The fact remains that on November 10, 1847, the music of the Italian National Anthem was born.

The anthem’s first official debut took place on December 10, 1847, in Genoa, during a patriotic event attended by over 30,000 people. In a short time, the anthem became famous and widespread, accompanying all the wars of Italian independence.

History of the Italian National Anthem

However, after the unification of Italy, the Royal March, composed in 1831, was chosen as the national anthem. In 1862, Giuseppe Verdi composed the “Inno delle Nazioni” (Hymn of the Nations) for the Universal Exposition in London. Alongside the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, and “God Save the Queen”, Verdi included the “Canto degli italiani” (Song of the Italians) at the expense of the Royal March.

The music, composed by Michele Novaro, regained new vitality thanks to Giuseppe Verdi. It became one of the most common songs during the Third War of Independence (1866) and the capture of Rome (1870). Taught in schools and frequently played by the bersaglieri military band, it became a symbol during World War I and was also performed by Arturo Toscanini.

During the fascist period, all songs not aligned with the regime were restricted and censored. Although the Canto degli italiani was not completely banned, it was rarely performed. It regained prominence during the liberation period, alongside other partisan tunes.

On October 12, 1946, the Canto degli italiani was approved as the provisional national anthem, replacing the previous liberation anthem, “La canzone del Piave”. However, it never lost its provisional status. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, there were several unsuccessful attempts to replace it with other anthems.

In the early 2000s, President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi promoted the recognition of the Canto degli italiani as the official national anthem. Following his initiative, the anthem was finally officially approved by the Commissione Affari costituzionali del Senato on November 15, 2017.

From “Canto degli Italiani” to “Fratelli d’Italia”

The autographed manuscripts of the “Canto degli Italiani” by Goffredo Mameli that have come down to us are only two. The first is located at the Istituto Mazziniano in Genoa, than the second, dated November 10, 1847, sent to Novaro, is preserved at the Museo del Risorgimento in Turin.

As for the original autographs by Michele Novaro, there are three. One is at the Museo del Risorgimento in Turin, the second from 1849 is in Genoa, and the third from 1859 is held at the Archivio Storico Ricordi in Milan.

The original version of the anthem included a stanza dedicated to Italian women, which was later removed by Mameli himself. Additionally, the anthem originally began with “Evviva l’Italia”. However, the text sent to Novaro on November 10, 1847, already reflected Mameli’s modification to “Fratelli d’Italia”.

Song “Il Canto degli Italiani”, arrangement by Michele Novaro

The first verse evokes Italian unity, identifying all the people as “Fratelli d’Italia” (Brothers of Italy). It also refers to Publio Cormelio Scipione (by his Latin name, Scipio). He defeated Hannibal in the Battle of Zama (202 BCE), liberating Italy from the Carthaginians. According to Mameli’s imagery, all of Italy wears Scipio’s helmet and is ready (has awakened) to fight against foreign domination.

The second part is slightly more complex. Here, there is an allusion to the goddess Victoria (where is Victory?) who willingly sacrifices her hair (let her bow down) to become a slave of Rome (for God has made her a slave of Rome) by divine design (God created her). The reference is to the Roman practice of cutting the hair of slaves, while free women had long hair. The imagery highlights the power of Rome. Through its victories, Rome even made the goddess Victoria its own slave. According to Mameli, now Victory is ready to be the slave of all of Italy .

The chorus recalls the history of ancient Rome. The cohort was a unit of the Roman army. “Stringiamci a coorte” (Let us unite in a cohort) means to close ranks and be ready for battle.

Here, Novaro likely repeats the verse “siam pronti alla morte” (we are ready for death) for melodic reasons.

Furthermore, he added the emphatic “Sì!” at the end, alluding to the promise of the Italian people to fight to the death against foreign forces.