Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera

  • 2(afl:pic).2(ca).2(bcl).2(cbn)/3.2.2+btbn.1/timp.4perc/2hp.pno(cel).ftpno/str
  • SATB
  • 2 sopranos, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone, bass-baritone; 5 treble voices (male or female)
  • 2 hr 30 min
  • John Caird
  • English, Italian

Programme Note

or The Operatic Adventures of Lorenzo Da Ponte on Two Continents in Two Acts


Synopsis

Lorenzo da Ponte led a scandalous life that rivalled the stories he committed to paper, including some of his most popular operas: Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, and The Marriage of Figaro. After becoming a priest and poet in Venice, he was banished when it was discovered that he had connections to many brothels and a secret family with two children. Luckily, he was introduced to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Austria and flourished as a librettist. His new-found fame gained him access to the upper echelons of European society. Yet after much success, Da Ponte found himself bankrupt and needing to flee once more. He sought refuge in America where he made a modest living as a grocer before rising again to establish the New York City’s first opera company in 1833.

Media

Tarik O'Regan: The Phoenix

Scores

Reviews

Discography