Pietro Pariati


Pietro Pariati was an Italian poet and librettist. From 1714-1729 he was Metastasio's predecessor at the Vienna court of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor.

Biography

Born in Reggio Emilia, was initially secretary to Rinaldo d'Este (1655–1737), Duke of Modena. Then from 1699 to 1714, he made his living as a poet in Venice, initially writing librettos with Apostolo Zeno, then independently. In 1714 he moved to Vienna, where he was appointed imperial poet.

Works

The author of prose tragedies, comic intermezzi, verses of various kinds, and pastoral fables, he is mainly known for his libretti, of which he composed at least ten as sole author, and many more in collaboration with the more famous Apostolo Zeno; the most successful of these, performed in theatres up to the end of the century, were Sesostri re di Egitto and Arianna e Teseo.

Librettos

Apart from many oratorio librettos, his most popular opera librettos included: