Born Emanuele Conegliano in 1749, the man who became Lorenzo Da Ponte transitioned from a Venetian seminary student and ordained priest to a central figure in the history of Western opera. His professional trajectory across Europe and the United States reflects a life defined by frequent exile, financial volatility, and the creation of foundational musical texts.
Early Life and Exile
Raised in Ceneda, the future librettist originated from a Jewish family that converted to Roman Catholicism in 1764, at which point he adopted his new name. After ordination in 1773, he lived in Venice, working as a teacher of Latin, Italian, and French. His time in the city ended abruptly in 1779 following a trial for public concubinage and abduction; he received a fifteen-year banishment from the Republic of Venice.
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Da Ponte settled in Vienna in the early 1780s, where he secured a position as court poet and librettist for the Italian Theatre with assistance from composer Antonio Salieri. During this tenure, he forged a significant creative partnership with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He authored the texts for three of Mozart’s most significant works: The Marriage of Figaro in 1786, Don Giovanni in 1787, and Così fan tutte in 1790. Beyond Mozart, he collaborated with Vicente Martín y Soler.
Transition to London and America
Following the death of Emperor Joseph II in 1790, Da Ponte lost his patronage and was dismissed from Imperial service in 1791. He traveled through Prague and Dresden before arriving in London in the 1790s. There, he navigated various occupations, including grocer and language teacher, before returning to theatrical work in 1803. Faced with bankruptcy, he immigrated to the United States in 1805, where he eventually became the first professor of Italian literature at Columbia University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1749, Ceneda
- Died: 1838, New York City
- Citizenship: Republic of Venice
- Key Operas: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte
- Language proficiency: Italian, Venetian
- Notable association: Casanova
- Academic role: Professor of Italian literature at Columbia University
- Burial site: Calvary Cemetery, 11th Street Catholic Cemetery
Questions readers ask
How many operas did Lorenzo Da Ponte write?
He wrote libretti for 28 operas composed by 11 different musicians.
What did he do in the United States?
He worked as a bookseller, taught Italian, served as a professor at Columbia University, and helped introduce Italian opera to America.
Achievements
- Genres: libretto
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