Francesco Maria Piave (1810–1876) was a prolific Italian opera librettist, best known for his close collaboration with Giuseppe Verdi, with whom he wrote the librettos for influential operas including Rigoletto, La traviata, Simon Boccanegra, and La forza del destino. Piave also worked as a journalist, translator, and stage manager at La Fenice and La Scala, using his broad experience in opera and his facile pen to turn Verdi's detailed requirements into memorable verse. Though Verdi often bullied him, Piave remained devoted to the composer, and their partnership resulted in some of opera's most iconic works.
Early Life and Career
Birth and Early Education: Born in Murano, a glassmaking island near Venice, Piave initially studied for the priesthood but later pursued writing and translation, moving to Rome to find work after his father's glass factory fell on hard times.
Journalism and Literary Circles: In Rome, he became part of a literary circle that included the librettist Jacopo Ferretti. He returned to Venice in 1838, working as a proofreader and editor for a publisher and as a writer for Gazzetta privilegiata di Venezia.
Opera Work: Piave wrote more than 60 librettos throughout his career for various composers, including Giovanni Pacini and Saverio Mercadante. His expertise was further developed as the resident poet and stage manager at the prestigious La Fenice opera house in Venice, where he met Verdi.
Collaboration with Verdi
A Long Partnership: Piave's association with Verdi began in 1844 with Ernani and continued for nearly two decades, resulting in 10 librettos.
Key Operas: His most famous works for Verdi include Macbeth, Rigoletto, La traviata, Simon Boccanegra, Aroldo, and La forza del destino.
Role in Verdi's Process: Piave was instrumental in providing the detailed verse and dramatic structure Verdi sought, often starting from the composer's prose ideas.
Final Years
Stroke and Later Life: In 1867, Piave suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak or move, ending his ability to work. Verdi and his wife generously provided for Piave in his final years, and after Piave's death in 1876, Verdi paid for his funeral.