Lorenzo Da Ponte

Italian-born American opera librettist, poet and Catholic priest Lorenzo Da Ponte began his life as Emanuele Conegliano in Ceneda (now Vittorio Veneto) on 10 March 1749. He changed his name when his family converted from Judaism to Catholicism.

His twenty-eight opera libretti for eleven different composers included, famously, three by Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte.

Da Ponte died in New York on 17 August 1838, aged eighty-nine.

 

A selection of articles about Lorenzo Da Ponte

Ensemble. Paths of Excellence - Giuseppe Pennisi reports via live stream on the Ravenna Festival Mozart/Da Ponte Trilogy

Ensemble. Full of Panache - Giuseppe Pennisi writes about a recent performance of 'Don Giovanni' in Rome

Ensemble. Tears Behind the Laughter - San Diego Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', reviewed by Ron Bierman

Profile. The Comic / Serious Mix - Ron Bierman talks to British opera director Stephen Lawless, whose 'Marriage of Figaro' is currently at San Diego Opera

Ensemble. Lovers' Opera - Giovanni Pacini's 'Il Convitato di Pietra', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Controversial Così - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Ensemble. Mixed Feelings - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Posthumous Debut - Giorgio Strehler's 'Marriage of Figaro' finally reaches Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Existential Tragedy - A new Italian production of Don Giovanni, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Major Joys - Los Angeles Philharmonic's 'The Marriage of Figaro' delights Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Totally Authentic - 'The Marriage of Figaro' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Saturday Delight - 'Don Giovanni' from New York Metropolitan Opera in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Los Angeles Opera's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Real Triumph - The 2011 Sferisterio Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Beautifully Phrased - Los Angeles Opera's 'The Marriage of Figaro', welcomed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Nearly a Male Lulu - 'Don Giovanni' in Aix-en-Provence, a black comedy of sex and loneliness, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Human Nature - A staged 'Così fan tutte' at Severance Hall in Cleveland, enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz

Ensemble. A Fine Rendition - 'Così fan tutte' at Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

DVD Spotlight. Superlative Music - Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the flames are formidable ...'

DVD Spotlight. Safe Passage? - Mozart's 'Così fan tutte', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a disappointing monument ...'