Significant events in the world of music

The famous Italian librettist and playwright Pietro Metastasio was born on January, 13 in 1698. Success came to him in 1724, after the production of the "Didone abbandonata" written specially for the his beloved, singer Marianna Romanini. Libretto had rare success: set to music by Domenico Sarro, in the first year it is attracted the attention of several composers, and in the future – throughout the eighteenth century – were "announced" another 50 times. The "Didone abbandonata" wasn't the first experience of the poet, but in the first time showed the characteristic features of his style.

The name of Metastasio, together with the names of Carlo Goldoni, Carlo Gozzi and Vittorio Alfieri glorified the Italian theatre. However if Goldoni glorified the Italian comedy, Alfieri - the tragedy, and Gozzi in general created a new genre (fiabe), then Metastasio reached unprecedented heights in an opera genre. Here at once it should be noted that, according to terminology of the 18th century it is necessary to call the drama intended for music for the opera, but not the libretto as it is accepted now that in many respects fairly, as the libretto is often understood as supporting material for the composer, whereas the best samples of musical drama of the 18th century are masterpieces in themselves, even without musical accompaniment.

In many respects it is Metastasio's merit. He also wrote the libretto of "Passions" set to the music by several composers, including Antonio Salieri ("La Passione di Gesù Cristo", 1776).

According to the website: http://vmiremusiki.ru/znamenatelnye-sobytiya-13-yanvarya.htm