Giuseppe Giacosa

Born on October 21, 1847, in Colleretto Parella near Turin, Giuseppe Giacosa studied law at the University of Turin before turning away from legal work to write for the theater. An early success with the verse comedy Una partita a scacchi helped launch a literary career that made him one of Italy’s leading playwrights around the turn of the twentieth century.

Giacosa wrote poetry and plays, and he became closely associated with Italian verismo for his clear, observant treatment of contemporary life. His stage works were admired for their simplicity, emotional honesty, and careful craftsmanship.

Today, many readers and listeners know him best for his collaboration with Luigi Illica on the libretti for three of Giacomo Puccini’s most famous operas: La bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly. He died on September 1, 1906, in his native Piedmont, but his words still live on in both Italian theater and opera.