The Marriage of Figaro | Mozart's Comic Opera Masterpiece
The Marriage of Figaro, comic opera in four acts by Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte), ...
Vicente Martín y Soler
In 1782, as Mozart was making his way as a composer in Vienna, Count Orsini-Rosenberg, director of the Burgtheater (the imperial theatre), invited him to write an opera buffa. The young composer was in favour at the court of Emperor Joseph II, but he had stiff competition in established local composers, including Antonio Salieri, <anchor>Vicente Martín y Soler</anchor>, and Giovanni Paisiello. Mozart was hoping for greater fame and financial security, and in his choice of material he was influenced by the unprecedented success in Vienna of Paisiello’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (1783), which was based on Beaumarchais’s earlier play Le Barbier de Séville (1775; The Barber of Seville). That work would later also become the basis of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (1816). Beaumarchais’s sequel had been translated into German. Performances of the play were planned in Vienna, but the emperor refused permission to stage the work, allowing only its publication. (Joseph had heard from his sister Marie Antoinette about the troubles the play had caused in Paris.) Da Ponte, one of the poets of the imperial court, removed political content and faithfully translated the rest into Italian—the appropriate language for the opera buffa that Mozart intended to compose. The emperor allowed the project to go forward without objection. With Mozart’s masterpiece of a score, the result was a witty yet profound tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Vicente Martín y Soler | Spanish Composer & Opera Innovator | Britannica
Vicente Martín y Soler \| Spanish Composer & Opera Innovator \| Britannica

[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](/)

Search BritannicaClick here to search

[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](/)

Search BritannicaClick here to search

[Subscribe  Now](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=evergreen)

[Subscribe](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=evergreen)

Login

- [Home](/)
- [History & Society](/History-Society)
- [Science & Tech](/Science-Tech)
- [Biographies](/Biographies)
- [Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature)
- [Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel)
- [Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture)
- [Money](/money)

- [Games & Quizzes](/quiz/browse)
- [Videos](/videos)
- [On This Day](/on-this-day)
- [One Good Fact](/one-good-fact)
- [Dictionary](/dictionary)
- [New Articles](/new-articles)

[History & Society](/History-Society)

- [Lifestyles & Social Issues](/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues)
- [Philosophy & Religion](/browse/Philosophy-Religion)
- [Politics, Law & Government](/browse/Politics-Law-Government)
- [World History](/browse/World-History)

[Science & Tech](/Science-Tech)

- [Health & Medicine](/browse/Health-Medicine)
- [Science](/browse/Science)
- [Technology](/browse/Technology)

[Biographies](/Biographies)

- [Browse Biographies](/browse/biographies)

[Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature)

- [Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates](/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates)
- [Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates](/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates)
- [Environment](/browse/Environment)
- [Fossils & Geologic Time](/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time)
- [Mammals](/browse/Mammals)
- [Plants](/browse/Plants)

[Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel)

- [Geography & Travel](/browse/Geography-Travel)

[Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture)

- [Entertainment & Pop Culture](/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture)
- [Literature](/browse/Literature)
- [Sports & Recreation](/browse/Sports-Recreation)
- [Visual Arts](/browse/Visual-Arts)

- [Companions](/stories/companion)
- [Demystified](/stories/demystified)
- [Image Galleries](/gallery/browse)
- [Infographics](https://www.britannica.com/study/infographics)
- [Lists](/list/browse)
- [Podcasts](/podcasts)
- [Spotlight](/stories/spotlight)
- [Summaries](/summary)
- [The Forum](/stories/the-forum)
- [Top Questions](/question)
- [#WTFact](/stories/wtfact)

- [100 Women](https://www.britannica.com/explore/100women/)
- [Britannica Kids](https://kids.britannica.com/)
- [Saving Earth](https://www.britannica.com/explore/savingearth/)
- [Space Next 50](https://www.britannica.com/explore/space/)
- [Student Center](https://www.britannica.com/study/)

[Ask the Chatbot](/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](/quiz/browse) [History & Society](/History-Society) [Science & Tech](/Science-Tech) [Biographies](/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](/Arts-Culture) [Money](/money) [Videos](/videos)

[Vicente Martín y Soler](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler)

Table of Contents


Introduction
[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](/facts/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler)

Read Next


[![the Beatles. Publicity still from Help! (1965) directed by Richard Lester starring The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) a British musical quartet. film rock music movie](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/178358-131-31BB9D53/Beatles-Publicity-Richard-Lester-Help-film-rock.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/whats-the-difference-between-tempo-and-rhythm)

[What's the Difference Between Tempo and Rhythm?](/story/whats-the-difference-between-tempo-and-rhythm)

[![Woman Playing a Theorbo to Two Men, oil on canvas by Gerard Terborch, 1667-1668. (Baroque Art)](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/191086-131-85619B55/Woman-oil-Men-canvas-Theorbo-Gerard-Terborch-1668.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/whats-that-sound-8-intriguing-early-musical-instruments)

[What’s That Sound?: 8 Intriguing Early Musical Instruments](/list/whats-that-sound-8-intriguing-early-musical-instruments)

[![The last big concert of Jimi Hendrix before he died in London was in Germany on the isle of Fehmarn 6th of September 1970. The festival was called Love-and-Peace-Festival.](https://cdn.britannica.com/23/190023-131-8EC31C15/Jimi-Hendrix-concert-performance-Open-Air-Love-September-6-1970.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/is-27-an-especially-deadly-age-for-musicians)

[Is 27 an Especially Deadly Age for Musicians?](/story/is-27-an-especially-deadly-age-for-musicians)

[![poem. A poet in a Heian period kimono writes Japanese poetry during the Kamo Kyokusui No En Ancient Festival at Jonan-gu shrine on April 29, 2013 in Kyoto, Japan. Festival of Kyokusui-no Utage orignated in 1,182, party Heian era (794-1192).](https://cdn.britannica.com/23/181923-131-76FC0CA5/poet-clothing-poetry-festival-Heian-Kyoto-shrine.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/world-poetry-day)

[World Poetry Day](/story/world-poetry-day)

Discover


[![Clouds of smoke rise from fires at the World Trade Center Towers as a result of terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Photographed 9:54 am in Lower Manhattan.](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/199824-131-8B2223A9/smoke-rise-Clouds-fires-result-terrorist-attack-September-11-2001.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[Timeline of the September 11 Attacks](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[![Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/142331-131-EE300AF6/basketball-Orange-background-lighting-Homepage-entertainment-history-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time)

[The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time](/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time)

[![Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/152058-131-0EB52C8F/Ostriches.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/6-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-birds)

[6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds](/list/6-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-birds)

[![Russian grand duchess Anastasia; undated photograph. (Anastasiya Nikolayevna, Tsar Nicholas II)](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/194168-131-CFE3851A/Anastasia.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/did-duchess-anastasia-survive-her-familys-execution)

[Did Duchess Anastasia Survive Her Family’s Execution?](/story/did-duchess-anastasia-survive-her-familys-execution)

[![Andrew Jackson delivering a speech while on his way to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration in 1829. From Harper's Weekly, 1881.](https://cdn.britannica.com/94/182194-131-A1441287/Andrew-Jackson-town-supporters-inauguration-way-1829.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[5 Remarkably Close U.S. Presidential Elections](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[![Presidential Debate Bingo. As candidates for the Republican Party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election take to the stage to debate the issues and each other, keep track of the facts you need to know with updated Britannica entries. As with every Bingo game, if you connect five tiles in a row, celebrate!](https://cdn.britannica.com/66/249866-004-B67557FB/presidential-debate-bingo.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/presidential-debate-bingo)

[Presidential Debate Bingo](/story/presidential-debate-bingo)

[![A group of diverse individuals, who represent various occupations, stand with their arms raised in the air. labor day; laborers; construction worker; teacher; nurse; doctor; assistant; office staff; blue collar; workforce](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/239640-131-052DF02A/diverse-group-occupations-workforce.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[Why Is Labor Day Celebrated in September?](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)


Contents


[Entertainment & Pop Culture](/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture)[Music, Classical](/browse/Classical-Music)

# Vicente Martín y Soler

Spanish composer



Actions




Cite


_verified_ Cite


While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.


Select Citation Style

MLAAPAChicago Manual of Style

Copy Citation



Share



Share


Share to social media

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica)

URL

[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler)


Give Feedback



External Websites


Feedback


Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).


Feedback TypeSelect a type (Required)Factual CorrectionSpelling/Grammar CorrectionLink CorrectionAdditional InformationOther

Your FeedbackSubmit Feedback

Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites


- [MN Opera - Biography of Vicente Martín y Soler](https://mnopera.org/biography/vicente-martin-y-soler/)

[Print](/print/article/1670614)


Cite


_verified_ Cite


While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.


Select Citation Style

MLAAPAChicago Manual of Style

Copy Citation



Share



Share


Share to social media

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica)

URL

[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler)



Feedback



External Websites


Feedback


Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).


Feedback TypeSelect a type (Required)Factual CorrectionSpelling/Grammar CorrectionLink CorrectionAdditional InformationOther

Your FeedbackSubmit Feedback

Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites


- [MN Opera - Biography of Vicente Martín y Soler](https://mnopera.org/biography/vicente-martin-y-soler/)

Also known as: Atanasio Martín Ignacio Vicente Tadeo Francisco Pellegrin Martín y Soler, Ignaz Martini, Vincenzo Martini, lo Spagnuolo il Valenziano


Written by


[Jesse Rosenberg\
\
Jesse Rosenberg received his Ph. D. from New York University, and in 1998 joined the faculty of Northwestern University, where he is now Coordinator of the Musicology Program. As a scholar, he specializes...](/contributor/Jesse-Rosenberg/7757869)

Jesse Rosenberg

Fact-checked by

[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica\
\
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

[Article History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


Quick Facts

In full: Atanasio Martín Ignacio Vicente Tadeo Francisco Pellegrin Martín y Soler_(Show more)_

Also known as: Vincenzo Martini, lo Spagnuolo, il Valenziano, and Ignaz Martini_(Show more)_

Born: May 2, 1754, [Valencia](/place/Valencia-Spain), [Spain](/place/Spain)_(Show more)_

Died: Jan. 30/Feb. 10, 1806, [St. Petersburg](/place/St-Petersburg-Russia), [Russia](/place/Russia)_(Show more)_

Notable Works: [“L’arbore di Diana”](/topic/Larbore-di-Diana)[“Una cosa rara, o sia bellezza ed onestà”](/topic/Una-cosa-rara-o-sia-bellezza-ed-onesta)_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/Vicente-Martin-y-Soler)

Ask the Chatbot a Question

Ask the Chatbot a Question

**Vicente Martín y Soler** (born May 2, 1754, Valencia, Spain—died Jan. 30/Feb. 10, 1806, [St. Petersburg](https://www.britannica.com/place/St-Petersburg-Russia), Russia) was a Spanish [opera](https://www.britannica.com/art/opera-music) composer known primarily for his melodious Italian comic operas and his work with acclaimed librettist [Lorenzo Da Ponte](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lorenzo-Da-Ponte) in the late 18th century.

Martín y Soler was initiated early into the [music](https://www.britannica.com/art/music) profession in his Spanish homeland, beginning as a singer in his native [Valencia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Valencia-Spain) and working as an organist in Alicante before moving to [Madrid](https://www.britannica.com/place/Madrid), where he wrote various pieces to be inserted into the Italian operas performed there. In 1777 he transferred his activity to Italy, composing operas for the Teatro San Carlo and other theatres in Naples, for the Teatro Regio in Turin, and for various noble houses in Lucca, Parma, and Venice, where he settled in 1782. Three years later, however, Martín y Soler moved to [Vienna](https://www.britannica.com/place/Vienna), where he fulfilled three [commissions](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/commissions) that together represent the apex of his accomplishment. Three of the operas he wrote for Vienna were on librettos by the celebrated poet [Lorenzo Da Ponte](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lorenzo-Da-Ponte): _Il burbero di buon cuore_ (1786; “The Good-Hearted Curmudgeon”), _Una cosa rara, o sia bellezza ed onestà_ (1786; “A Rare Thing, or Beauty and Honesty”), and _L’arbore di Diana_ (1787; “The Tree of Diana”). Although Da Ponte is best known for his later work with [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart), in his memoirs he assigned a significant role to his work with Martín y Soler in the maturation of his style of libretto writing.

After three successful years in Vienna, Martín y Soler assumed duties in St. Petersburg as kapellmeister (music director) for the Russian court and also taught singing at the city’s Smolny Institute for the education of noblewomen. Though other Italian and Italianate composers—including [Giovanni Paisiello](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giovanni-Paisiello), [Domenico Cimarosa](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Domenico-Cimarosa), and [Giuseppe Sarti](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giuseppe-Sarti)—worked for the Russian court in the last decades of the 18th century, Martín y Soler was [unique](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/unique) in that he had no official connection with the Italian opera company in St. Petersburg. Moreover, he demonstrated an unusual degree of willingness to engage with Russian-language opera and contributed several comic works to the Russian company. Two of these were settings of librettos by [Catherine II (the Great)](https://www.britannica.com/event/Instruction-of-Catherine-the-Great): _Gorebogatir Kosometovich_ (1789; “The Sorrowful Hero Kosometovich”) and _Fetul s det’mi_ (1791; “Fedul and his Children”). In addition to operatic works, Martín y Soler also composed music for several [ballets](https://www.britannica.com/art/ballet) during his years in St. Petersburg,

When Sarti was named to succeed Cimarosa as the court’s chief composer of Italian opera, Martín y Soler decided to leave [Russia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia). He spent the next several years (1794–96) in London, where he again [collaborated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collaborated) with Da Ponte. During their work on the second of two operas, however, a quarrel erupted between them, marking the end of their professional relationship. In 1796 Martín y Soler returned to St. Petersburg, resuming his teaching duties and composing his final Italian [comic opera](https://www.britannica.com/art/comic-opera), _La festa del villaggio_ (1798; “The Village Feast”).

Nearly all of the operas of Martín y Soler following his move to Vienna were comic, a [genre](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genre) in which his gift for gracious, lyrical melodic writing was [conspicuous](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspicuous). His Viennese operas were by far his most successful. The best known of these is undoubtedly _Una cosa rara_, owing above all to Mozart’s humorous citation of one of its melodies in the second finale of _Don Giovanni_ (1787). It was _L’arbore di Diana_, however, that enjoyed the most performances; indeed, this Italian opera was staged with greater frequency at the court-supported Burgtheater in Vienna than any other during the decade 1783–92.

[Jesse Rosenberg](/contributor/Jesse-Rosenberg/7757869)