Carlo Goldoni is an important figure in the history of Italian theater both as playwright and theater reformer. He was a prolific writer who may have written as many as 134 dramatic works. He is best remembered for his comedies, but he produced work in all contemporary theatrical genres—tragedy, melodrama, opera libretto, and intermezzi. He also authored one novel, produced countless occasional pieces as required by contracts with the impresario in the theaters where he was employed, and wrote detailed introductions to successive published editions of his plays as well as two autobiographies.

Monument to Carlo Goldoni by Antonio Dal Zotto, in the Campo san Bartolomeo, Venice, Italy

Source: Didier Descouens/Wikimedia Commons.

He was born in Venice in 1707, and although he received his education in various Italian ...