Lorenzo da Ponte was an Italian-American poet, librettist, and scholar, born on March 10, 1749, in Ceneda, now Vittorio Veneto, Italy, and died on August 17, 1838, in New York City, United States. He is best known for his collaboration with the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on some of his most significant operas.
Da Ponte served as the official librettist of the Italian Royal Theaters in Vienna, where he worked closely with Mozart, resulting in the creation of three exceptional operas: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte. These works revolutionized the opera genre, combining comedy, drama, and music in an intricate manner. Da Ponte's exceptional skill in crafting compelling and witty librettos played a crucial role in the success and enduring popularity of these operatic masterpieces.
Aside from his collaboration with Mozart, Da Ponte wrote librettos for numerous other composers, including Antonio Salieri. His diverse body of work includes more than 40 opera librettos, many of which remain appreciated and performed to this day. Da Ponte's textual contributions to the world of opera encompassed various themes, from lighthearted comedies to intense dramas, showcasing his versatility and literary finesse.
In addition to his career as a poet and librettist, Da Ponte strove as an academic, with a particular interest in Italian literature and language. After immigrating to the United States in 1805, he became a professor of Italian language and literature at Columbia College in New York City.
Ultimately, Lorenzo da Ponte's lasting legacy lies in his significant contributions to the opera genre, specifically his collaboration with Mozart
