Fra Diavolo is the name of a character who appears in a number of theatrical works. Often the name is included in the title of the play, or is used as the name of a play.

The character Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo (lit. "Brother Devil") was the nickname given to a guerilla leader/brigand actually named Michele Pezza (1771–1806), and depending on the source, he was either an Italian soldier turned guerilla fighter and patriot, or he was a brigand who was made into a hero by his exploits against the French. Pezza figures prominently in Italian and French folk lore and fiction. He appears in several works of Alexandre Dumas for example, including The Last Cavalier, and Washington Irving's short story "The Inn at Terracina".

The plays about Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo ou l’Hôtellerie de Terracine by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber and Eugène Scribe

This is perhaps the most famous stage version and was the French opéra-comique which was first performed on 28 January, 1830 in the Opéra-Comique in Paris, and many times afterwards, in many languages.

Fra Diovolo, or The Banditti of the Abrouzes by

The most famous stage version was the French opéra-comique by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber and Eugène Scribe, called which was first performed on 28 January, 1830 in the Opéra-Comique in Paris, and many times afterwards, in many languages. Most of thedealt with the twenty-nine days' chase of the elusive guerilla leader/brigand Fra Diavolo (lit. "Brother Devil") by a company led by Colonel Hugo (the father of Victor Hugo) and his ultimate capture and execution. F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. Go to ESAT Bibliography