Silvio D'Arzo - Ezio Comparoni

Ezio Comparoni (1920-1952) became one of the most original and evocative voices in the 20th-century Italian literature, publishing under the pseudonym Silvio D’Arzo.

He lived with his mother in their modest home in Via Aschieri.
From a young age, Comparoni showed an intense passion for writing: at just fifteen, he published short stories and poems, and at sixteen he passed his classical school-leaving examination.
He graduated in Literature from the University of Bologna with a thesis on local dialects, reflecting his deep connection to the Reggio Emilia area.

Comparoni’s literary output is varied: he used several pseudonyms, but it was under the name Silvio D’Arzo that he achieved posthumous critical acclaim.
His only novel published during his lifetime, All’insegna del Buon Corsiero, and above all the novella Casa d’altri, described by Eugenio Montale as “a perfect story”, confirm his narrative talent and his ability to portray human emotions with restraint and depth.

In Reggio Emilia, his cultural legacy is well preserved: the Panizzi Library houses a significant collection dedicated to Silvio D’Arzo, containing manuscripts, letters and original documents that allow us to rediscover his work and his lively correspondence with critics and intellectuals.

His connection with the city extends beyond the pages of his books: many cultural initiatives and honours pay tribute to Comparoni, and a street in Reggio Emilia bears his name, reminding visitors of the lasting contribution of this unassuming writer who was deeply attached to his homeland.