In the early, nearly empty part of my Book of Memory there is a chapter with the Latin title “Here begins the new life.” 

—from Luzzi’s translation of Vita Nuova

The Italians have a saying: traduttore, traditore—that is, the “translator” of a book can often be a “traitor” to it if he fails to capture both its letter and its spirit. 

Join Joseph Luzzi, Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College, for a deep dive into his forthcoming translation of Vita Nuova, Dante’s first book. It is a moving account of his youthful love for his muse, Beatrice, and his discovery of his passion for poetry. 

“Vita Nuova ostensibly organizes Dante’s early poems around the story of how he first met Beatrice Portinari and fell under her spell,” writes Luzzi. “But, as Dante would put it, the reader should look beneath the literal surface for allegorical, moral, and celestial undercurrents.”

Professor Luzzi will share his experiences of trying to remain faithful to Dante’s original language, while also bringing his own personal understanding and interpretation of Dante’s work into this early masterpiece by Italy’s so-called sommo poeta, supreme poet.

Class meets from 6:30–7:45 p.m. EDT on Mondays: February 3, 10, and 17.

Luzzi will reference his translation of Vita Nuova (Liveright, 2025), which registrants are encouraged to buy.

This live, virtual course is structured to encourage active participation. Registrants will receive Zoom links a week before each session, a day prior to each session, and the morning of each session. All recordings will be made available within forty-eight hours of a session. All recordings and class materials will remain available for thirty days after the final session 

Scholarship applications must be submitted by Monday, January 13, at 5 p.m. EDT. 

For information on how to register, how to receive the member discount, how to apply for a scholarship, how to access recordings and course materials, and more, please visit our FAQ page.