Dana Gioia

Dana Gioia

Poet and critic Dana Gioia is an internationally recognized man of letters. He has just published his fourth volume of poems, Pity the Beautiful.

His previous book of poems, Interrogations at Noon, won the American Book Award. A former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, he is currently the Judge Widney Professor of Poetry and Public Culture at USC.

Dana gioia's essay "Robert Frost and the Modern Narrative" is featured on Poetry Daily. Published in the Virginia Quarterly review.

PIty the Beautiful is the long-awaited fourth collection of poems by Dana Gioia. Read poems from the collection here.

Some Recent Reviews of Pity The Beautiful

Ann Applegarth, “A Poet Reflects on Our Times,” The Catholic World Report. [PDF]
Ned Balbo, “The Two Dana Gioias,” Italian Americana. [PDF]
Susan Balee, “Dana Gioia, An Acknowledged Legislator of the Word,” Wild River Review. [PDF]
Bruce Bawer, "The Flaneur, the Chemist, and the Chairman," The Hudson Review. [PDF]
Bruce Jacobs, “Pity the Beautiful,” Shelf Awareness. [PDF]
David Lehman, “The Businessman, the Statesman, and the Poet,” The Best American Poetry. [PDF]
Angela Alaimo O'Donnell, "Redemption Songs," America. [PDF]
Ray Olson, “Pity the Beautiful,” Booklist. [PDF]
David J. Rothman, "Pity the Beautiful: Dana Gioia's well-crafted poems of the passionate inner life." Philadelphia Inquirer.
Tamsin Smith, “Hot Ice and Wondrous Strange Snow,” Huffington Post. [PDF]

Dana Gioia appointed the Judge Widney Professor of Poetry and Public Culture at USC

“Dana Gioia exemplifies USC’s commitment to the fundamental role of the arts in society,” said Nikias, who, in his Oct. 15 inauguration address, announced the recruitment of interdisciplinary faculty superstars as a top priority. “Through his poignant verse, insightful criticism, and inspired leadership of the NEA, Professor Gioia has helped millions of Americans experience the positive and transformative power of literature and the arts.” Full press release here.

Tony Caruso's Final Broadcast

Tony Caruso's Final Broadcast: Opera in ten short scenes on a libretto by Dana Gioia, released by Naxos. "Best New One Act Opera" (Winner of the National Opera Association's Competition). Now available on Amazon.

Poetry Daily Interview with Dana Gioia

On the creation of Poetry Out Loud."Do I remember particular performances? Absolutely!"

Interview with US Poet Laureate Kay Ryan

"If I didn't have poetry, I wouldn't have access to the most interesting parts of my mind." View Dana Gioia's interview with Kay Ryan here.

Video Editorial

"Reading and Civic Engagement"
Dana Gioia discusses the results of the NEA's research on reading. Produced as part of the Song of a Citizen video op-ed series.

Stanford University Commencement Speech

On June 17, 2007, Dana Gioia delivered the Commencement speech at Stanford University.
The full text of his speech is available here. An excerpt appears in the Wall Street Journal.

Featured Essay

Wherevever Home May Be: Elizabeth Bishop was a restless, searching writer whose poems are rich in the wonder of being human
From the Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2011.