Ottavio Rinuccini facts for kids
Ottavio Rinuccini (born on January 20, 1562, died on March 28, 1621) was an important Italian poet. He also wrote the words for operas, which are like musical plays. The words for an opera are called a "libretto," and the person who writes them is a "librettist." Ottavio Rinuccini lived during a time when music was changing a lot, from the end of the Renaissance to the start of the Baroque periods.
He is famous for working with Jacopo Peri to create Dafne in 1597. This was the very first opera ever made! Because of this, Ottavio Rinuccini became the first opera librettist in history. He was born and passed away in Florence, Italy.
Rinuccini's Famous Works
Ottavio Rinuccini wrote many important texts for musical performances. These works helped shape early opera.
Early Musical Plays
In May 1589, Rinuccini wrote parts of the texts for some "intermedi." These were short musical shows performed between the acts of a play. They were part of a big celebration for the wedding of Ferdinand I de' Medici and Christine de Lorraine. The performance was called La pellegrina.
Writing for Operas
Rinuccini's most famous works are the librettos he wrote for operas:
- He wrote the libretto for Dafne, the first opera. It was performed early in 1598.
- He also wrote a pastoral story called Euridice. This story was used as the libretto for two different operas. One was Jacopo Peri's opera, Euridice. The other was Giulio Caccini's opera of the same name.
- Rinuccini wrote the libretto for L'Arianna by Claudio Monteverdi. This opera was first performed in 1608.
- He also wrote the libretto for Monteverdi's Il ballo delle ingrate, also performed in 1608.
- Another work for Claudio Monteverdi was the text for Zefiro torna e di soavi accenti.
Some of Rinuccini's poems were even set to music by Filippo Bonaffino. This happened in a book of madrigals in 1623. Madrigals are a type of vocal music, usually for several voices.
See also
In Spanish: Ottavio Rinuccini para niños
