The Fan: 'I will not be the butt of all the world''

Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni was born on the 25th February, 1707, in Venice, Italy in what was then known as the Republic of Venice.

His father sent him to study in Rimini, but the precocious theatre fanatic ran away to join a company of strolling players. His father then enrolled him in a strict papal college in Pavia to study. Whilst there Goldoni related that he spent most of his time reading plays in Greek and Latin and had already started on his prolific literary career.

In 1725 he was expelled in his third year and forced to leave the city but did continue his studies and graduated in law. He thereafter practiced for several years and established a lucrative income.

However, Goldoni’s overriding passion was always in the theatre. He wrote his first play, ‘Amalasunta,’ which premiered in 1733. It was a failure and he threw the manuscript into the fire.

He continued to write but until 1738, they were always tragedies. Goldoni, inspired by Moliere, began to realise that he had a flair for comedy. His talents created many innovative comic plays that had elements of the largely improvised Commedia dell’arte of the day but integrated social commentary and realism with a tighter plot structure and convincing characters. This became the ‘commedia nuova’—'new comedy’ which is one of Goldoni's most enduring achievements.

Among his most famous works is ‘The Servant of Two Masters,’ (1746), a masterpiece of comedy that has been adapted and performed countless times across the globe to this very day. This play exemplifies Goldoni's skill in blending farce with astute observations of human nature, making it a timeless classic.

Goldoni’s dedication in revitalizing Italian theater ultimately earned him widespread acclaim and recognition. Of course, to mirror this he also faced criticism and controversy, particularly from traditionalists who viewed his reforms as an unwelcome departure from the established Commedia dell’arte. Rivalries and disputes with fellow playwrights and their limited vision meant that, in 1761, Goldoni left Venice for Paris.

There he was well received with a position at court. He wrote his memoirs in French as well as many much-admired new plays.

Goldoni retired with a pension from the king, but this was revoked after the French Revolution. Tragically he then lived his last years in near-poverty.

Across his career Goldoni wrote in the region of 150 plays. He also wrote many librettos for the opera and was associated with Venice’s most prestigious opera house, San Giovanni Grisostomo.

Carlo Goldoni died in Paris on the 6th of February 1793. He was 85.

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