Born on March, 10, 1749 in Venice, Italy, Lorenzo Da Ponte was an Italian librettist, poet and Roman Catholic priest, who wrote the libretti for 28 operas by 11 composers, including three of Mozart's most celebrated operas: The Marriage of Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787), and Così fan tutte (1790). Aside from his relationship with Mozart, Da Ponte was also a close friend of Casanova, and would eventually emigrate to the United States and become the first professor of Italian literature at Columbia University, and would be among the the first to introduce Italian opera to America. We'll hear a selection of celebrated arias from all his three landmark collaborations with Mozart and much more, Tuesday afternoon.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—wevery weekday afternoon on Blue Lake Public Radio.
