The Divine Comedy (version 2 Dramatic Reading)
Dante Alighieri
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
The Divine Comedy (in Italian, Divina Commedia, or just La commedia or Comedia) is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri in the first decades of the 14th Century, during his exile from his native Florence. Considered the most important work of Italian literature, the poem has also has enormous historical influence on western literature and culture more generally. Dante represents the three realms of the afterlife in his three canticles (Inferno--Hell; Purgatorio--Purgatory; Paradiso--Paradise) in a way that reflects and, at the same time, goes beyond Christian tradition of the 14th Century. Dante is sometimes called "The father of the Italian language" for the linguistic influence of the Comedy, which helped to elevate his native Florentine Tuscan dialect to the level of national standard. The poem is written in the first person, and tells of Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead, lasting from the night before Good Friday to the Wednesday after Easter in the spring of 1300. The Roman poet Virgil guides him through Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante's ideal woman, guides him through Heaven. (Summary by Mary J)
MC: Leni
BC: Mary J
DPL, Editor: Michele Eaton
Cast:
Heavenly Messenger, Pier della Vigna, Malacoda, Sordello, Sapia, Angel of Temperance, Leah, Nymph 2, Piccarda: Sarah Terry
Pier da Medicina: Adele de Pignerolles
Homer, Minotaur, Jacopo Rusticucci, Pope Nicholas, Master Adam, Cato, Manfred, King Solomon, Adam: alanmapstone
Tree, Tree 2, A Soul in the Sphere of Mercury: Amy Gramour
Peter Damian: David Lawrence
Sinner 1, Megaera, Soul 2, Widow, Wife of Pisistratus, Siren, Lustful Soul 1, Nymph 7: Availle
Mohammed, Corrado Malaspina: BeniaminoMassimo
Minos: Bryan Rupert
Aglauros, Pisistratus, Abbot of St Zeno: DomBombadil
Ulysses: David N Winkler
Count Ugolino, Soul 3, St James: Beth Thomas
Plutus, Calvalcante dei Calvalcanti, Giacomo da SantAndrea, Alessio Interminei of Lucca, Vanni Fucci, Guido da Montefeltro, Sinon, Nimrod, Buonconte Da Montefeltro, Guard, Oderisi, Envious Soul 3, Marco, A Pope, Forese Donati, Guido Guinizelli, Griffon, Justinian, Thomas Aquinas, St Peter: Andrew Coleman
Cacus: GaylorSwift
Ciacco, Sinner 3, Lano, Tegghiaio Aldobrandi, Malebranche 2, Fra Catalan, Puccio Sciancato, Boniface VIII, Capocchio, Frate Alberigo, Belacqua, Judge Nino, Envious Soul 4, Guido del Duca, Nymph 3, Charles Martel, Bonaventure, St Bernard: Zach K
Bertran de Born, Angry Mob: Johnny Alexander
Narrator, Beatrice: Mary J
Charon, Filippo Argenti, Chiron, Guido Guerra, Venedico Caccianimico, Swindler: inflected
Proud Soul 2, Nymph 4: Jessie Yun
Francesca da Rimini: Amanda Friday
Angry Mob 1, Angel of Peace, Singing Elder, Nymph 5: K Cotter
Wrathful Soul, Tisiphone, Farinata, Nessus, Capaneus, Malebranche 1, Fra Loderingo, Snakeman, Black Cherub, Mosca, Camiscione dei Pazzi, Casella, Pia, Angel, Proud Soul 3, Envious Soul 2, Thunderous Voice, Angry Mob 4, Lavinia, Slothful Soul 1, Angel of Zeal, Hugh Capet, Bonagiunta, Lustful Soul 3, Soul in Eden 1, Many Souls Voice 3, Nymph 1, Folco, St Benedict, St John: Kristin Gjerløw
Omberto, Rinieri dal Calboli, Avaricious/Prodigal Penitent, Statius, Many Souls Voice 4: Leni
Virgil: Anna Simon
Phlegyas: LibriNinja
Lucia, Malebranche 4, Penitent Soul, Jacopo del Cassero, Lucia, Angel of Humility, Other Souls 2, Many Souls Voice 5, Nymph 6: Lydia
Brunetto Latini: Martin Geeson
Bocca degli Abati: Alex Lane
Excommunicated Repentant Soul: Nan Mig
Alecto, Trajan: Patrick Eaton
Cacciaguida: Vin Reilly
Griffolino, Slothful Soul 4: Rob Board
Sinner 2, A Florentine Bush, Malebranche 5, Traitor 2, Angry Mob 2, Slothful Soul 3, Lustful Soul 2, Soul in Eden 2, Many Souls Voice 2: Rosslyn Carlyle
Avaricious, Prodigal Penitent 2: Ruth Golding
Singing Souls, Angel of Purity, Matelda, Singing Angels: Shakira Searle
Avaricious Soul, Agnello, Angry Mob, Cunizza: Holly Alexander
Virgin Mary, Prodigal Soul, Demon, Usurer, Traitor 1, Late Repentant Soul, Proud Soul 1, Envious Soul 1, Angel of Generosity, Holy Lady, Other Souls 1, Voice, Many Souls Voice 1, Eagle: TriciaG
Dante: Peter Tucker
Malebranche 3, Buoso, Angry Mob, Slothful Soul 2: Vincent Alexander
Daniel Arnaut: Vespero (13 hr 4 min)
Chapters
000 - Dramatis Personae | 10:52 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
001 - Inferno I | 7:44 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
002 - Inferno II | 7:23 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
003 - Inferno III | 7:27 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
004 - Inferno IV | 8:15 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
005 - Inferno V | 7:45 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
006 - Inferno VI | 6:32 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
007 - Inferno VII | 7:11 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
008 - Inferno VIII | 6:59 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
009 - Inferno IX | 7:14 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
010 - Inferno X | 7:33 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
011 - Inferno XI | 6:44 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
012 - Inferno XII | 7:53 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
013 - Inferno XIII | 8:26 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
014 - Inferno XIV | 8:09 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
015 - Inferno XV | 8:13 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
016 - Inferno XVI | 7:40 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
017 - Inferno XVII | 7:19 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
018 - Inferno XVIII | 7:29 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
019 - Inferno XIX | 7:34 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
020 - Inferno XX | 7:34 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
021 - Inferno XXI | 7:35 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
022 - Inferno XXII | 7:51 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
023 - Inferno XXIII | 7:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
024 - Inferno XXIV | 8:09 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
025 - Inferno XXV | 7:55 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
026 - Inferno XXVI | 7:28 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
027 - Inferno XXVII | 8:19 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
028 - Inferno XXVIII | 7:47 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
029 - Inferno XXIX | 7:27 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
030 - Inferno XXX | 9:50 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
031 - Inferno XXXI | 7:47 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
032 - Inferno XXXII | 7:17 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
033 - Inferno XXXIII | 8:43 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
034 - Inferno XXXIV | 7:48 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
035 - Purgatorio I | 8:02 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
036 - Purgatorio II | 7:23 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
037 - Purgatorio III | 8:20 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
038 - Purgatorio IV | 7:16 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
039 - Purgatorio V | 7:16 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
040 - Purgatorio VI | 8:05 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
041 - Purgatorio VII | 7:14 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
042 - Purgatorio VIII | 7:33 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
043 - Purgatorio IX | 7:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
044 - Purgatorio X | 7:13 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
045 - Purgatorio XI | 8:34 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
046 - Purgatorio XII | 7:28 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
047 - Purgatorio XIII | 8:00 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
048 - Purgatorio XIV | 7:44 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
049 - Purgatorio XV | 8:03 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
050 - Purgatorio XVI | 8:50 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
051 - Puragtorio XVII | 7:33 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
052 - Purgatorio XVIII | 8:09 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
053 - Purgatorio XIX | 8:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
054 - Purgatorio XX | 8:06 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
055 - Purgatorio XXI | 7:34 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
056 - Purgatorio XXII | 8:19 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
057 - Purgatorio XXIII | 7:41 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
058 - Purgatorio XXIV | 8:23 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
059 - Purgatorio XXV | 7:43 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
060 - Purgatorio XXVI | 8:03 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
061 - Purgatorio XXVII | 7:54 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
062 - Purgatorio XXVIII | 9:18 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
063 - Purgatorio XXIX | 7:45 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
064 - Purgatorio XXX | 7:30 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
065 - Purgatorio XXXI | 7:39 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
066 - Purgatorio XXXII | 8:04 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
067 - Purgatorio XXXIII | 7:20 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
068 - Paradiso I | 7:17 | Read by Peter Tucker |
069 - Paradiso II | 7:03 | Read by Peter Tucker |
070 - Paradiso III | 6:51 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
071 - Paradiso IV | 6:52 | Read by Peter Tucker |
072 - Paradiso V | 6:48 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
073 - Paradiso VI | 9:11 | Read by Andrew Coleman |
074 - Paradiso VII | 6:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
075 - Paradiso VIII | 7:57 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
076 - Paradiso IX | 7:30 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
077 - Paradiso X | 8:27 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
078 - Paradiso XI | 8:57 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
079 - Paradiso XII | 7:50 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
080 - Paradiso XIII | 9:40 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
081 - Paradiso XIV | 7:07 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
082 - Paradiso XV | 7:59 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
083 - Paradiso XVI | 8:54 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
084 - Paradiso XVII | 7:20 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
085 - Paradiso XVIII | 6:42 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
086 - Paradiso XIX | 7:48 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
087 - Paradiso XX | 7:48 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
088 - Paradiso XXI | 7:18 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
089 - Paradiso XXII | 7:46 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
090 - Paradiso XXIII | 7:17 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
091 - Paradiso XXIV | 8:17 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
092 - Paradiso XXV | 6:47 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
093 - Paradiso XXVI | 7:38 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
094 - Paradiso XXVII | 7:55 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
095 - Paradiso XXVIII | 6:27 | Read by Peter Tucker |
096 - Paradiso XXIX | 6:24 | Read by Peter Tucker |
097 - Paradiso XXX | 6:58 | Read by Peter Tucker |
098 - Paradiso XXXI | 7:17 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
099 - Paradiso XXXII | 7:45 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
100 - Paradiso XXXIII | 8:01 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
Reviews
Phantasmic
Mumanu
Wonderfully read. Beautifully arranged. There's even singing. Yet, even with all the effulgence (or maybe because of it), paradise seems boring. TripAdvisor might give it 3.5 stars. Better than the alternatives. But still lacking in (earthly) delights.
awesome!
A LibriVox Listener
Fantastic reading -- I really enjoyed this version, especially the readers for the narrator (Dante) and Virgil. A couple readers were a bit off (one woman in particular has a very odd cadence that is distracting. It's not too annoying for some minor characters but she does read a longish monologue in Paradiso that is at odds with the general emotion of the rest of the work). Love that there are singers, too! Kudos to a few readers in Inferno who really make their sufferings come across well. Def worth downloading!
love it!!!!
Chad
thank you so much all, for taking the time to record such a wonderful version! such fantastic language! I just wish I could have understood it all on the first go! but as with any great book, multiple readings (or listenings) are often necessary.
What translation is this?
Angela Conley
Please put the name of translator in the description of each audiobook. It is SO not ok with a famous work from another language that had has so many famous translations, to not state which one prominently in the description! (I see this problem with ebooks and even printed books all the time, but it is the most important piece of information to include!)
mostly okay
Scarlett G.
I really liked some readers but others fell very flat... I also couldn't get into the character of the poet a male character that for some reason the part was read by a woman, it may not bother others but I found it read emotionless and can't see why they had a woman read it when there were many male readers for other characters.
Ou Dorp
Overall, quite well done. I do wish the readers were matched by sex to the character they portray, and the very short coral “readings” often. were hard to understand. Those aside, this recording certainly is recommended for any who would want to listen to The Divine Comedy.
app broken
azababa
now that I have to take it out of pocket to skip commercial before it will continue reading...oh the reading of the comedy is great, makes a hard to understand book smooth and sweet.
Amazing Reading
Madison Thompson
Honestly, thanks to everyone who helped make this recording. It genuinely brought the text to life in a way that it never had for me before when blandly reading it from the page.