Pád sicilských lvů - Sága rodu Floriů 3 – Auci Stefania (2023)

The final part of the Florio family saga follows the fates of the last "Sicilian lions" Ignazio junior and his brother Vincenzo. The year is 1891. After the premature death of their father, the young Ignazio takes over the reigns of the Casa Florio empire. The son of one of Italy's wealthiest families had until then enjoyed the life of a golden youth, accustomed to spending money lavishly rather than multiplying it. Although he tries to live up to his responsibilities, he lacks much of his father’s and grandfather’s business acumen, foresight, and dedication. The narrative focuses on the relationship between Ignazio junior and his wife Franca, an emblematic figure of Palermo's high society against the backdrop of the early 20th century Art Nouveau. Franca's beauty, elegance, charm, and wit were admired by prominent statesmen and famous artists of the time, including Giacomo Puccini, Gabriele D’Annunzio, and Enrico Caruso. However, the seemingly fairy-tale life of Donna Franca is filled with tragic events, losses, disappointments, and ingratitude in private. The city of Palermo itself reveals its ungrateful face to the Florios, a city that owes its development and splendor to them, their courage and visions, and their patronage projects. The Florios always ventured into new directions, hosted leading European personalities, and literally opened Palermo to the world. The uncrowned rulers...