Teatro La Fenice 2020-21 Review: ‘Prima La Musica E Poi Le Parole’ & ‘Der Schauspieldirektor’

(Photo: Michele Crosera) Contrary to popular rumor, it is very unlikely that Salieri and Mozart were on acrimonious terms, let alone enemies. As court composer to Emperor Joseph II, Salieri dominated Viennese musical society which he used to secure positions for Italian artists, which no doubt irritated the ambitious Mozart, but there is no evidence for any animosity between the {…}

Lorenzo Da Ponte’s ‘Other’ Works Not Named ‘Le Nozze di Figaro,’ ‘Don Giovanni’ or ‘Così Fan Tutte’

Lorenza da Ponte, born on March 10, 1749, is best known for three collaborations he had with Mozart. Those operas, “Le Nozze di Figaro,” “Don Giovanni” and “Così Fan Tutte” stand as some of the greatest in the repertoire, not only because of Mozart’s great music, but also as a result of Da Ponte’s brilliant dramatic skills. But the librettist {…}