His obscure Origin 185
1698. (13th of January.) His Birth; his Name 185
His Adoption by Vincenzo Gravina 185
His first Tragedy, "Giustino" 186
His Letter to Algarotti 187
His Letter to Don Saverio Mattei 188
Death of his adopted Father Gravina 189
His Studies 189
His Imprudence 189
Commences the Study of the Law at Naples 190
He composes his "Orti Esperidi" 190
He quits his Legal Studies 191
And resides at the House of the Prima Donna Marianna
Bulgarelli 191
He studies Music 192
1594. Operatic Dramas first introduced at Florence 192
1724. Metastasio composes his "Didone Abbandonato;" also his
"Siroe" 192
He accompanies the Prima Donna to Rome 193
1727. He writes his Drama of "Cato" 193
1729. He is invited to become the Court Poet of Vienna 193
Apostolo Zeno 194
1730. Metastasio fulfils his Engagement to the Roman Theatre 194
He enters on his Employments at Vienna; Success of his Dramas 194
Becomes Treasurer of the Province of Cosenza, in Naples 195
His Letters to Marianna Bulgarelli 196
1733. Her Death 198
Metastasio's Letters to his Brother on her Death 198
His Style 200
His "Attilio Regulo" 201
"Themistocles" and "Olimpiade:" his Dramas 202
His Canzonetti 203
1740. Death of the Emperor Charles VI. 203
1745. Francis I. elected Emperor 204
Several European Sovereigns invite Metastasio to their Court 204
His Malady 204
His Letters 205
His Letter to his Brother on the Death of his Father 205
1770. Death of his Brother Leopold 208
1737. Farinelli 208
1746. Death of Philip V. of Spain 209
1763. Accession of Charles III. 209
Physical Sufferings of Metastasio 209
Death of the Empress Maria Theresa 209
1772. Doctor Burney's Account of Metastasio 210
1782. (12th of April.) Death of Metastasio 211