Metastasio

Metastasio, Pieeo Buonaventuea (1698-1782), an Italian poet much esteemed in the-18th century, was born at Rome of poor parents. His father's name was Trapassi; the name was Graecised by the poet's early patron, Gravina, the jurist.

Metastasio made his reputation by a birthday ode, The Gardens of the Hesperides, written for the Empress Elizabeth Christina. This brought him to the notice of Bulgarini the singer, for whom he wrote his chief pieces, La Semiramide, I' Artaserse, La Bidone Abbandonata. She left him her fortune, his claim to which the poet generously decided to forego in favour of her husband. In 1730 Metastasio was invited to Vienna and given the post of "poeta cesareo" by the Emperor Charles VI. Here he died, leaving a large fortune.