My history hero: Richard Coles chooses Lorenzo Da Ponte (1749–1838)

In profile

Lorenzo Da Ponte was an opera librettist, poet and Catholic priest. He wrote the libretti for a string of operas by various composers, including three of Mozart’s best-known works: The Marriage of Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787) and Così fan tutte (1790). After a spell living in England, he became a professor at Columbia University in New York City.

When did you first hear about Ponte?

I discovered Mozart’s opera The Marriage of Figaro when I was 18, and instantly fell in love with it. When I got to know the libretto in English, I realised just how funny and clever it was, and thought: “I wonder who wrote it?” That’s when I discovered Lorenzo Da Ponte.

What kind of man was he?

He was full of life and literature, and liked adventure and misadventure. Born a Jew, he became a Christian priest after his father converted to Roman Catholicism. He had several children, took a mistress and was found guilty of running a brothel. He was friends with Casanova as well as working with Mozart. He was a grocer in London before running away to New York City to escape his debts – and became professor of Italian literature at Columbia College (now University). What a life!

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What made him a hero?

First, the quality of his work. Librettists sometimes get overlooked; for instance, Burt Bacharach is rightly acclaimed while his lyricist, Hal David, gets rather forgotten, even though they were equal partners. Similarly, Mozart’s great operas wouldn’t be what they are were it not for Da Ponte, who was immensely gifted. Second, his colourful life story. There’s something irrepressible about him that I admire. To me, Da Ponte is a bit of a Cinderella figure, because very few people know of him, whereas everyone knows who Mozart is. I’m intrigued by the way that he hides behind a brighter light [Mozart], even though his life was just as bright in its own way.

What was his finest hour?

His libretto for The Marriage of Figaro – one of the greatest operas of all time. One of the things I admire about his work is its vivid brevity.

Is there anything you don’t particularly admire about him?

I imagine that he was one of those people best enjoyed from a distance of about 20 feet. He certainly wasn’t a man you should marry – I think he was too busy off having adventures to make a faithful and diligent partner.

Can you see any connections between his life and your own?

I once pinched a little bit from The Magic Flute for a Communards album, though nobody noticed. I’m also fascinated by the idea of someone who was both a priest and sensuous.

What would you ask Da Ponte if you could meet him?

Classical music is my first love – though I’m currently obsessed with the rock band The 1975 – so I’d like to know what it was like working with Mozart.

The Reverend Richard Coles is a broadcaster, author, priest and former musician with synth-pop duo The Communards. His novel A Death on Location (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) is out in hardback, ebook and audiobook

This article was first published in the August 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine