Pietro Metastasio ‒ uomo universale (1698‒1782)

Pietro Metastasio, as one of the last universal geniuses, was one of the most important personalities in art and the onset of science in the 18th century. His long life, his proximity to the Emperor an his role as leader of the Italian court party and his connections with the most prominent personalities of his age made him one of the leading figures of the century. The “Metastasio phenomenon”, the practically monopoly position that his libretti acquired in the time from around 1730 to 1810, is of interest to romance studies, theatre and music science. Leaving aside the huge influence that Metastasio’s texts had on almost an entire century, the programme for the ceiling frescos in the Festival Hall of the University (today the ÖAW) originates from Metastasio, and so the dedication of a 300th birthday present would appear justified for many reasons.