Birth

:

March 10, 1749 in Cèneda, Italy

Death

:

August 17, 1838 in New York City, NY

 

Lorenzo da Ponte was a prominent classical music artist of the 18th century, known for his contributions to the world of opera. Born Emanuele Conegliano in 1749 in Ceneda, Italy, he later changed his name to Lorenzo da Ponte after converting to Catholicism. His father was a Jewish tanner, and his mother was a Catholic seamstress. Despite his humble beginnings, da Ponte went on to become one of the most celebrated librettists of his time. Da Ponte's early life was marked by tragedy and hardship. His father died when he was just seven years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings alone. Da Ponte showed an early aptitude for languages, and he was sent to a Jesuit school in Ceneda to receive a classical education. However, his studies were cut short when his mother was accused of adultery and forced to flee the town with her children. Da Ponte spent the next several years wandering through Italy, working odd jobs and studying languages whenever he could. He eventually settled in Venice, where he became a tutor to the children of a wealthy merchant. It was in Venice that da Ponte first became involved in the world of opera. He began writing librettos for local composers, and his talent soon caught the attention of the famous composer Antonio Salieri. In 1783, da Ponte moved to Vienna to work as Salieri's librettist. It was there that he wrote the libretto for his most famous opera, "Don Giovanni." The opera, which premiered in 1787, was an instant success and is still considered one of the greatest operas of all time. Da Ponte's witty and sophisticated libretto, combined with Mozart's sublime music, created a work that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. After the success of "Don Giovanni," da Ponte continued to write librettos for Mozart and other composers. He wrote the libretto for Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" in 1786, and "Così fan tutte" in 1790. He also wrote librettos for other composers, including Salieri, Vicente Martín y Soler, and Giuseppe Sarti. In addition to his work as a librettist, da Ponte was also a professor of Italian at Columbia University in New York City. He emigrated to the United States in 1805, after a series of personal and financial setbacks in Europe. In New York, he became involved in the city's cultural life, and he helped to establish the first opera company in the United States. Da Ponte's later years were marked by financial difficulties and personal tragedies. He lost his position at Columbia University in 1825, and he struggled to make ends meet. His wife died in 1832, and his son committed suicide in 1837. Da Ponte himself died in poverty in 1838, at the age of 89. Despite the hardships he faced, da Ponte's legacy as a librettist and cultural pioneer lives on. His contributions to the world of opera helped to shape the art form into what it is today. His witty and sophisticated librettos continue to be performed and admired by audiences around the world. And his role in establishing opera in the United States paved the way for generations of American opera singers and composers. In recognition of his contributions to the world of opera, da Ponte has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. In 1787, he was appointed court poet by Emperor Joseph II of Austria. In 1808, he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Pennsylvania. And in 2003, he was posthumously inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.

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