Character guide

Fabrizio del Dongo

major

Also known as Fabrizio, young Fabrizio, Fabrizio Volterra, del Dongo, Signor Fabrizio del Dongo

Young Italian nobleman, protagonist, passionate and idealistic, seeks adventure and love.

Clelia Conti

major

Also known as little Clelia, Clelia, Signorina, young Clelia Conti, Signorina Clelia Conti

Daughter of General Conti, becomes Fabrizio's great love and moral anchor.

Conte Mosca

major

Also known as Mosca, Conte, Conte Mosca della Rovere Sorezana, the Conte

Prime minister of Parma, clever and devoted lover of the Duchessa Sanseverina.

Duchessa Sanseverina

major

Also known as the Duchessa, Signora Sanseverina, Signora Duchessa, the Duchessa Sanseverina

Fabrizio's aunt, a brilliant and powerful woman who orchestrates his rise.

Gina del Dongo

major

Also known as Poor Gina, Gina

Fabrizio's sister, later the Contessa Pietranera and Duchessa Sanseverina.

Contessa Pietranera

supporting

Also known as the Contessa, Contessa Pietranera, Signora Pietranera, the charming Contessa Pietranera

Gina's earlier title; she is a beautiful, spirited widow before remarrying.

Giletti

supporting

Also known as the terrible Giletti, Signor Giletti, the unfortunate Giletti

Jealous actor and rival of Fabrizio, leading to a fatal confrontation.

Lodovico

supporting

Also known as the good Lodovico, Lodovico San Micheli

Loyal servant and friend to Fabrizio, helps him in times of trouble.

Rassi

supporting

Also known as the Grand Fiscal Rassi, Fiscal General Rassi, Fiscal Rassi, the Fiscal General Rassi

Corrupt and sycophantic fiscal general of Parma, a tool of the court.

General Fabio Conti

supporting

Also known as General Conti, Fabio Conti, Conti

Governor of the Farnese Tower, Clelia's stern and ambitious father.

Marchese del Dongo

supporting

Also known as the Marchese del Dongo, the timorous Marchese, the sullen Marchese, Signor del Dongo

Fabrizio's conservative, pro-Austrian father who disapproves of his son.

Marchesa del Dongo

supporting

Also known as the Marchesa, the good Marchesa, Marchesa del Dongo

Fabrizio's loving but timid mother, devoted to her children.

Ferrante Palla

supporting

Also known as Ferrante, the famous Ferrante Palla, Poor Ferrante, Signor Ferrante Palla, Palla

Impoverished poet and revolutionary, secretly in love with the Duchessa.

Conte Pietranera

minor

Also known as Pietranera, the excellent Conte Pietranera, poor Pietranera

Gina's first husband, a brave but reckless French officer killed in a duel.

Marchese Crescenzi

supporting

Also known as the Marchese Crescenzi, the new Marchese, the casa Crescenzi

Wealthy nobleman who marries Clelia, representing social obligation.

Signora Marchesa Crescenzi

supporting

Also known as the Marchesa Crescenzi, the Marchesa, Marchesa

Clelia after marriage, torn between duty and love for Fabrizio.

Don Cesare

supporting

Also known as the excellent Priore Don Cesare, the good Don Cesare, the worthy Don Cesare

Kindly priest and jailer at the Farnese Tower, helps Fabrizio and Clelia.

Priore Blanès

supporting

Also known as the Priore Blanès, the Priore, Blanès

Astrologer-priest who mentors young Fabrizio and predicts his fate.

Marchesa Raversi

supporting

Also known as the Marchesa Raversi, Signora Raversi, the Raversi, the Signora Marchesa Raversi

Scheming noblewoman and political enemy of the Duchessa Sanseverina.

Signor Gonzo

minor

Also known as Gonzo, poor Gonzo

Bumbling constable who assists in Fabrizio's arrest and escape.

Little Marietta

minor

Also known as Marietta, the pretty Marietta, little Marietta

Young actress and Giletti's lover, briefly involved with Fabrizio.

Fausta F⸺

minor

Also known as Fausta, F⸺

Beautiful but capricious actress who captivates Fabrizio for a time.

Annetta Marini

minor

Also known as this Annetta Marini, Annetta, little Annetta Marini, the little Marini

Young woman from Grianta who has a brief flirtation with Fabrizio.

Barbone

minor

Servant of the Marchesa del Dongo, assists Fabrizio in his youth.

Duca Sanseverina-Taxis

minor

Also known as the Duca Sanseverina, Sanseverina, the Duca, Taxis

Wealthy old nobleman who marries Gina, giving her a title.

General Fontana

minor

Also known as Fontana, Poor General Fontana

Minor court figure and friend of the Contessa Pietranera.

Bruno

minor

Also known as the faithful Bruno, the astonished Bruno

Loyal servant of the Duchessa Sanseverina, aids in intrigues.

Conte Zurla-Contarini

minor

Also known as Conte Zurla, Zurla, the Conte

Minister of the Interior in Parma, a pompous bureaucrat.

Cavaliere Riscara

minor

Also known as Riscara

Spy and informant for the Parma court, hostile to Fabrizio.

Monsignor Landriani

minor

Also known as Landriani, the venerable Archbishop Landriani, Archbishop Landriani

Archbishop of Parma, initially supports Fabrizio's clerical career.

Barone Binder

minor

Also known as the Barone, Barone, Binder

Chief of police in Parma, efficient and loyal to the prince.

Marchesino del Dongo

minor

Also known as the young Marchesino del Dongo, young del Dongo

Fabrizio's older brother, a dull and conventional nobleman.

Cecchina

minor

Also known as little Cecchina

Clelia's maid and confidante, helps arrange secret meetings.

Bettina

minor

Also known as little Bettina

Servant girl at the inn where Fabrizio stays, briefly infatuated with him.

Limercati

minor

Also known as Whereupon Limercati

Milanese nobleman who courts Gina after Pietranera's death.

Vespasiano del Dongo

minor

Fabrizio's younger brother, a minor character in the family.

Conte Nani

minor

Also known as Nani, the Conte

Austrian diplomat and friend of the Marchese del Dongo.

Peppe

minor

Servant to Fabrizio, assists during his imprisonment.

General Pietranera

minor

Also known as the gallant General Pietranera, the charming General Pietranera

Gina's first husband, a dashing French officer killed in a duel.

Giuseppe Bossi

minor

Also known as Signor Giuseppe Bossi

Painter and friend of Fabrizio, involved in the Giletti affair.

Ascanio del Dongo

minor

Also known as Archbishop Ascanio del Dongo, the Archbishop Ascanio del Dongo, Ascanio

Historical ancestor of Fabrizio, a former Archbishop of Parma.

Boulot

minor

Also known as Trooper Boulot

French soldier who helps Fabrizio during the Waterloo campaign.

Conte Palanza

minor

Also known as the Conte

Minor nobleman at the Parma court, a friend of Mosca.

Barone Riva

minor

Also known as Barone

Milanese nobleman who hosts Fabrizio after his return from France.

Monsignore del Dongo

minor

Also known as Monsignore

Fabrizio's uncle, a church dignitary who aids his career.

Prince Ranuccio

supporting

Also known as The Prince, Prince

Ruler of Parma, weak and suspicious, manipulated by his court.

Cavaliere Foscarini

minor

Also known as the Cavaliere Foscarini

Venetian nobleman and friend of the Duchessa, a minor diplomat.

Fabrizio Valserra

minor

Also known as Fabrizio

Alternate name for Fabrizio del Dongo, used in some contexts.

Marchesino Ascanio

minor

Also known as Ascanio

Younger brother of Fabrizio, a minor family member.

Captain Teulier

minor

Also known as Teulier

French officer who commands Fabrizio during the Waterloo campaign.

La Rose

minor

Innkeeper's wife who shelters Fabrizio after his flight from Waterloo.

Princess Isotta

minor

Also known as the Princess Isotta, the elderly Princess Isotta

Elderly princess of the Parma court, a gossipy figure.

Sandrino

minor

Fabrizio and Clelia's secret son, who dies in infancy.

Conte Prina

minor

Also known as Prina

Milanese minister, mentioned as a victim of political violence.

Conte Rusca

minor

Also known as the Conte

Minor nobleman at the Parma court, a friend of Mosca.

Gina del Dongo

major

Also known as Gina

Fabrizio's sister, later becomes the Duchessa Sanseverina.

Isotta Valserra del Dongo

minor

Also known as the young Valserra, Isotta

Fabrizio's sister, a minor family member mentioned briefly.