On Air Now
Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau 6am - 9am
Metastasio (1698–1782)
This image appears in the gallery:
Ten great librettists
1. Metastasio (1698–1782)
The most important writer of opera seria – ‘serious’ Italian opera – Pietro Trapassi, known as Metastasio, was one of the most celebrated librettists in Europe. His words were set by numerous composers, including Caldara and Hasse. Well-suited for virtuoso sopranos and castrati, Metastasio’s words fell out of fashion as opera moved towards the more psychological interests of Gluck and Mozart.
