Monument to Pietro Metastasio, Rome
There is a monument to genius Italian playwright named Pietro Metastasio set on Piazza della Chiesa Nuova at Santa Maria in Vallicella, an Oratorian church. Adopted by a poet Giovanni Vincenzo Gravina, this little orphan grew into an outstanding maestro of dramaturgy thanks to his talent. Pietro Metastasio created a great number of libretti for operas that belonged to Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn, Salieri, Meyerbeer, and Gluck and was awarded a well-deserved recognition from all over Europe.
The monument to Pietro Metastasio in Rome is a long plinth made of grey travertine that has a great libretto master standing at full height on it.
Fun facts
Pietro’s libretti were so remarkable, dozens of musicians wanted to use it and there were reasons for that:
- Metastasio got rid of confusing plot lines, numerous changes of clothes and decorations, unbelievable intrigues and interfering acts of God.
- Plots of had to include 6 characters who were passionately infatuated (it was a must).
- The dramatist set strict rules for the main parts – arias had to be ardent, stirring, calm, demi-caractere.
Such plotting caused a revolution in the world of opera. Such methods are still used in dramaturgy.
How to get
The monument to Pietro Metastasio can be found on Piazza della Chiesa Nuova. You can reach this place by taking buses 40, 46, 62, 64, 190, 571 и 916 (the Chiesa Nuova stop.)
