Paolo Rolli

[1] Paolo Rolli was born in Rome, Italy and like Metastasio was trained by Gian Vincenzo Gravina.

The earl of Burlington brought him to England, which he commemorates in the dedication of his opera of “Astarte” to his noble patron, who attached him to the court as master of the Tuscan language to the princesses.

[2] During this period, he wrote librettos for numerous Italian operas including Handel's Floridante (1721), Muzio Scevola (1722), Riccardo Primo (1927) and Deidamia (1741) and Nicola Porpora's La festa d'Imeneo (1736) and Orfeo (1736).

[3] He also worked frequently with composer Giovanni Bononcini writing and adapting numerous librettos for him including his popular Griselda (1722).

Upon the death of queen Caroline, his royal protectress, in 1737, he left England and returned to Italy, where he died in Todi in 1767, leaving behind him a very curious cabinet, and a rich library of well-chosen books.

Portrait of Paolo Rolli
Remnants of ancient Rome, by Bonaventura van Overbeek , painter and citizen of Amsterdam, translated and increased with comments and reflections by Paolo Rolli, patrician of Todi, fellow of the Royal Society, Tommaso Edlin , London, 1739