Carlo Goldoni

Carlo Goldoni is a world-renowned Italian playwright and the author of dozens of comedies, among the most famous being The Servant of Two Masters and The Impresario from Smyrna, which are still performed today. He learned to read and write at the age of four and is said to have written his first play at the age of nine. He completed his law studies in Ravenna in 1731. In the meantime, he wrote several other plays, toured with a theatre company, and worked in various law offices. For a time, he also served as secretary to the Venetian ambassador in Milan. In 1734 he took part in the Battle of Parma and then returned to Venice, where he devoted himself solely to theatre. He toured Italy with a theatre company, and during his stay in Genoa, he married Nicoletta Conni. He became the director of theatres in both Venice and Genoa. In 1763 he moved to Paris, where he became tutor to the royal daughters and continued writing comedies.