Articoli correlati a A Gift: The Life of Da Ponte : A Poem
Epic poem, biography, literary criticism, historical romance - in A Gift, David Slavitt presents the fascinating life of Mozart's librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte, one of history's great unknowns, a man blessed and cursed by his conviction that within him lay the capacity for literary greatness.
Educated in the church, the young da Ponte carouses in Venice, flees Italy, and finds himself in Austria, trying to establish a career in the theatre. Under the tepid patronage of Joseph II of Austria, he turns out libretti for Salieri and learns the "whorey tricks" of writing on demand: "Adaptation, translation, theft."
Then, on the brink of despair, he encounters Mozart - boorish, preferring crude farce to literary grace. Still, the partnership thrives with The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte. But good luck is not to be trusted, and "misfortune is not reliable either."
Despite his brilliant gift, success eludes da Ponte. Ever gullible, ever generous, he is destined to accumulate others' debts, to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, to be forgotten. Da Ponte lives out his life in the fledgling United States, plagued by sickness, debt, and the implacably looming specter of failure.
Slavitt has created a lovely, heartening book, one that reminds us that untested faith is no faith at all. Alight with muted passion, A Gift chronicles a man's refusal to despair despite the growing awareness that nothing awaits but poverty and ignominy - "that this ill-fitting garment is what the wardrobe holds." Through Slavitt's lively imagination, we feel reverence rather than pity for the dogged nobility of da Ponte's struggle. Ultimately, Lorenzo da Ponte is a hero, his life a victory.
Educated in the church, the young da Ponte carouses in Venice, flees Italy, and finds himself in Austria, trying to establish a career in the theatre. Under the tepid patronage of Joseph II of Austria, he turns out libretti for Salieri and learns the "whorey tricks" of writing on demand: "Adaptation, translation, theft."
Then, on the brink of despair, he encounters Mozart - boorish, preferring crude farce to literary grace. Still, the partnership thrives with The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte. But good luck is not to be trusted, and "misfortune is not reliable either."
Despite his brilliant gift, success eludes da Ponte. Ever gullible, ever generous, he is destined to accumulate others' debts, to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, to be forgotten. Da Ponte lives out his life in the fledgling United States, plagued by sickness, debt, and the implacably looming specter of failure.
Slavitt has created a lovely, heartening book, one that reminds us that untested faith is no faith at all. Alight with muted passion, A Gift chronicles a man's refusal to despair despite the growing awareness that nothing awaits but poverty and ignominy - "that this ill-fitting garment is what the wardrobe holds." Through Slavitt's lively imagination, we feel reverence rather than pity for the dogged nobility of da Ponte's struggle. Ultimately, Lorenzo da Ponte is a hero, his life a victory.
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- EditoreLouisiana State Univ Pr
- Data di pubblicazione1996
- ISBN 10 0807120472
- ISBN 13 9780807120477
- RilegaturaCopertina rigida
- Numero di pagine55
- Valutazione libreria
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A Gift: The Life of Da Ponte [A Poem].
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Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, LA
(1996)
ISBN 10: 0807120472
ISBN 13: 9780807120477
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Descrizione libro Hardcover. First Ed; First Printing indicated. First Ed; First Printing indicated. Fine in Near Fine DJ: Book shows binding square and secure; text clean. DJ shows only the mildest rubbing and a faint crease at inside front flap; price intact; mylar-protected. Virtually 'As New'. NOT a Remainder. NOT a Book-Club Edition. NOT an Ex-Library copy. 8vo. 55pp. Hardback with DJ. Codice articolo 40166
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A Gift: The Life of Da Ponte : A Poem
Editore:
Louisiana State Univ Pr
(1996)
ISBN 10: 0807120472
ISBN 13: 9780807120477
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Descrizione libro Hardcover. Condizione: Good. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books. Codice articolo mon0000156444
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A Gift : The Life of da Ponte
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Louisiana State University Press, USA
(1996)
ISBN 10: 0807120472
ISBN 13: 9780807120477
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Descrizione libro hardcover. Condizione: Very Good. Condizione sovraccoperta: Very Good. First Edition. Slightly grubby dj. The page block is slightly water stained on the bottom corner. Clear, bright and tight. K. Used. Codice articolo 238488
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A GIFT; The Life of Da Ponte, A POEM
Editore:
Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge
(1996)
ISBN 10: 0807120472
ISBN 13: 9780807120477
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Descrizione libro First Edition. 8vo, pp. 55. A fine in dj. . Inscribed by the author to poet William Jay Smith and his wife: "For Sonja & Bill | love | David | 9/22/01". Codice articolo 58563
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS; poems new and selected
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Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge
(2005)
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Descrizione libro First Edition. 8vo, pp. 260. Printed wraps, a fien copy. Inscribed by the author to poet William Jay Smith and his wife: "For Sonja & Bill | love | David |7/1/05. Codice articolo 58579
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ASPECTS OF THE NOVEL; a novel
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Catbird Press, North Haven, CT
(2003)
ISBN 10: 0807120472
ISBN 13: 9780807120477
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Descrizione libro First Edition. 8vo, pp. 190. A fine in dj. Inscribed by the author to poet William Jay Smith and his wife: "For Sonja & Bill | love | David | 11/1/03 | Cummington". Codice articolo 58580
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