Romano Mussolini
Italian jazz pianist, painter, and film producer (1927–2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Romano Bruno Mussolini (26 September 1927 – 3 February 2006) was an Italian jazz pianist, painter, and film producer.[1] He was the fourth child and youngest son of Benito Mussolini.
26 September 1927
- Jazz pianist
- painter
- film producer
Romano Mussolini | |
|---|---|
Mussolini in 1932 | |
| Born | Romano Bruno Mussolini 26 September 1927 Forlì, Italy |
| Died | 3 February 2006 (aged 78) Rome, Italy |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1945–2006 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3, including Alessandra and Rachele |
| Parent(s) | Benito Mussolini Rachele Mussolini |
| Relatives | Sophia Loren (former sister-in-law) Romano Floriani Mussolini (grandson) |
Early life and education
Romano Mussolini grew up in Villa Carpena, his family's residence in Forlì in Romagna.[2] He studied music as a child, playing classical pieces on the piano and accompanying his father, Benito Mussolini, who played[3] the violin. Following World War II, he started playing jazz under the assumed name "Romano Full".[4]
Musical career
His playing style has been described as "like a slightly melancholic Oscar Peterson. Occasionally inspired, he was always efficient; he made the refrains run on time."[5]
Personal life
In 1962, Mussolini married Maria Scicolone, the younger sister of actress Sophia Loren. They had two daughters, Alessandra and her younger sister Elisabetta. Alessandra led a small Italian far-right party often described as neofascist, Alternativa Sociale. Romano Mussolini composed the party's official anthem, "The Pride of Being Italian".[5]
With his second wife, the actress Carla Maria Puccini, he had a daughter, Rachele Mussolini, named after his mother Rachele Mussolini. The younger Rachele has served as a member of the city council of Rome.[6]
Mussolini was very reserved about his family history until the entry of the post-fascist National Alliance party into government following the 2001 general election.[7] In 2004 he published a broadly sympathetic account of his personal recollections of his father, Il Duce, mio padre (translated as My father, il Duce: a memoir by Mussolini's son, alluding to the Fascist dictator's official title), including anecdotes of private confidences and discussions.[7]
Death
Romano Mussolini died from heart problems in a hospital in Rome in 2006, aged 78.
Selected discography
- Mirage (1974)
- Soft & Swing (1996)
- The Wonderful World of Louis (2001)
- Timeless Blues (2002)
- Music Blues (2002)
- Romano Piano & Forte (2002)
- Jazz Album (2003)
- Napule 'nu quarto 'e luna (2003)
- Alibi perfetto (2004) – soundtrack
Books
- Mussolini, Romano (2006) [2004]. My father il Duce: a memoir by Mussolini's son. Translated by Stojanovic, Ana. Introductory essay by Alexander Stille. San Diego, CA: Kales Press. ISBN 0-9670076-8-2.