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Pietro Metastasio - Biography

Metastasio: The Life and Work of the Great Italian Librettist

Pietro (1698-1782) is a name that remains the greatest Italian librettist of all time. His influence on operatic art can hardly be overstated, and his lyrics became the basis for some of the most famous operatic works. In this article, we invite you to learn more about the life and work of Pietro Metastasio, his connection to opera and the legacy he left in the world of music and theater.

Pietro was born on 3 January 1698 in Rome, Italy. He was an orphan and was raised in a convent. Already at an early age, his love for the word and literature manifested itself. After completing his education at the monastery, he began to write poetry and dramatic works.

He soon gained fame for his libretto talents and began collaborating with the leading opera composers of his time. His first famous libretto was a work for the opera Alexander in India by Leonardo Vinci, which was staged in 1723.

Metastasio moved to Venice, where his talent quickly gained popularity. He began to invite great composers such as Antonio Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti to work on his librettos. His work is considered a key element of the Venetian Opera School.

One of the most famous co-authors was his collaboration with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He wrote librettos for several of Mozart's operas, including "Don Giovanni" and "The Marriage of Figaro." These operas remain classics and some of the most popular works in opera history.