Librettist. Resident Poet and Stage Director of La Fenice, Venice (1844-60), and of La Scala in Milan (1861-67). He was a good friend of Giuseppe Verdi and wrote the texts for ten of his operas, including "Ernani" (1844), "Macbeth" (1847), "Rigoletto" (1851), "La Traviata" (1853), "Simon Boccanegra" (1857), and "La Forza del Destino" (1862). Although his lyrics were often ridiculed as clumsy and his personal reputation was less than spotless (he kept a string of mistresses), Verdi tolerated no criticism of the man. In 1867 Piave suffered a stroke that left him completely paralyzed. Verdi helped support him for the rest of his life and paid for his funeral.
Librettist. Resident Poet and Stage Director of La Fenice, Venice (1844-60), and of La Scala in Milan (1861-67). He was a good friend of Giuseppe Verdi and wrote the texts for ten of his operas, including "Ernani" (1844), "Macbeth" (1847), "Rigoletto" (1851), "La Traviata" (1853), "Simon Boccanegra" (1857), and "La Forza del Destino" (1862). Although his lyrics were often ridiculed as clumsy and his personal reputation was less than spotless (he kept a string of mistresses), Verdi tolerated no criticism of the man. In 1867 Piave suffered a stroke that left him completely paralyzed. Verdi helped support him for the rest of his life and paid for his funeral.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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