Casanova & the Art of Seduction Documentary
The People Profiles・2 minutes read
Giacomo Casanova's tumultuous life included romances with various women, scandals, imprisonment, and travels throughout Europe, culminating in him settling in Prague and becoming a prolific writer, with his memoirs posthumously gaining fame.
Insights
- Casanova's life was marked by a series of romantic escapades, including encounters with various women and even a castrato singer named Bellino, who turned out to be a girl named Teresa Lanti. This complex web of relationships and love affairs shaped his journey, leading to significant events like the birth of a son in Naples and a scandalous affair with Anna Maria Vallati in Rome.
- Despite his tumultuous romantic life, Casanova's escapades extended beyond love affairs, encompassing financial schemes, mystical experiments, and encounters with prominent figures like Empress Catherine the Great. His ability to navigate various social circles, from high society in Paris to a brief imprisonment in London, showcases his diverse experiences and the intrigue that surrounded his persona.
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Recent questions
Who was Giacomo Casanova?
Giacomo Casanova was an Italian adventurer and author born in Venice in 1725.
What were some of Giacomo Casanova's notable experiences?
Giacomo Casanova had a tumultuous life filled with romantic escapades, imprisonment, travels across Europe, and encounters with prominent figures.
Where did Giacomo Casanova establish a successful lottery scheme?
Giacomo Casanova established a successful lottery scheme in Paris, earning a substantial income and becoming a prominent figure in high society.
What did Giacomo Casanova do in London?
In London, Giacomo Casanova struggled financially, engaged in brief affairs, and attempted to establish himself before leaving due to financial issues.
What was Giacomo Casanova's most famous work?
Giacomo Casanova's most famous work is his memoirs, which were published posthumously and detailed his adventurous life across Europe.
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Summary
00:00
The Life of Giacomo Casanova: A Summary
- Giacomo Casanova was born on April 2, 1725, in Venice, Italy, to a family of actors.
- His parentage was disputed, with his mother Zanetta Farussi being a prominent actress in Venice.
- Raised by his maternal grandfather, Giacomo was sent to Padua for better health at the age of nine.
- In Padua, he excelled in his studies under Abate Antonio Maria Gozzi, developing romantic feelings for Gozzi's sister Bettina.
- Giacomo visited Venice in 1736, impressing his mother with his Latin skills and sparking his interest in literary fame.
- He enrolled at the University of Padua at twelve to study law, later returning to Venice to pursue a career in the Church.
- Casanova's romantic escapades included encounters with Bettina, Lucia, and the Savorgnan sisters, among others.
- He faced imprisonment and expulsion from a seminary, later embarking on a journey to Rome with Bishop de Bernardis.
- In Rome, Casanova worked as a secretary for Cardinal Acquaviva and engaged in a scandalous affair with Anna Maria Vallati.
- His desire to travel to Constantinople led him to encounter a family of actors in Ancona, where he developed feelings for the castrato singer Bellino.
15:13
Casanova's adventurous life and romantic escapades
- Bellino was actually a girl named Teresa Lanti, who was an opera singer.
- Casanova convinced Teresa to reveal her true identity and perform outside the Papal states.
- They planned to marry, but Casanova seemed hesitant to commit, leading to a son's birth in Naples.
- Casanova lost his passport and decided to become a mercenary soldier, heading to Constantinople.
- He sailed to Corfu with Venetian noblemen and lost money gambling.
- In Constantinople, Casanova met Yusuf Ali, who suggested he marry his daughter, but Casanova declined.
- Casanova spied on three women bathing naked, leading to his first homosexual encounter.
- He returned to Venice, worked as a violinist, and saved a senator's life, becoming his adopted son.
- Casanova gambled and pursued love affairs with support from Venetian patricians.
- He left for Milan, where he met Marina and had a significant affair with Henriette in Parma.
30:08
Casanova's Scandalous Affairs and Daring Escape
- Casanova reunites with Teresa Imer at Palazzo Malipiero after a decade, where they spend a night together, leading to Teresa's pregnancy.
- Teresa gives birth to a daughter, but Casanova is devastated when Caterina miscarries in July.
- Casanova receives an anonymous letter from a nun, M.M., who helped Caterina during her pregnancy, leading to an affair outside the convent.
- Casanova suspects M.M. and Caterina were also lovers, and he is shocked to find Caterina waiting for him at the house.
- Despite vowing not to see either woman again, Casanova is enticed into threesomes and continues his affair with M.M.
- Casanova's involvement with nuns, increasing debts, and social connections lead to his arrest by the Venetian Inquisition on July 26, 1755.
- After nine months in solitary confinement, Casanova manages to escape with the help of a priest named Marino Balbi.
- Casanova establishes a successful lottery scheme in Paris, earning 120,000 francs a year and becoming a fixture in high society.
- Casanova falls in love with Manon Balletti but refrains from seducing her out of respect for her family.
- Casanova's involvement with the Marquise d'Urfé leads to mystical experiments, including attempts at reincarnation and alchemical pursuits.
45:04
Casanova's European Adventures: Love, Intrigue, and Duels
- Casanova sought to rent out his Pall Mall flat to a "single lady" offering "peculiar advantages."
- He engaged in a brief affair with a Portuguese Catholic brunette named Pauline.
- Casanova shared his flat with his daughter Sophie before sending her to a boarding school.
- Struggling financially in London, Casanova reconnected with Marie Anne Charpillon, a courtesan.
- Casanova was briefly imprisoned for assault but convinced the judge of his innocence.
- He sought to establish himself in London but left for Europe due to financial issues.
- Casanova attempted to sell a lottery scheme in England and lobbied King Frederick the Great in Berlin.
- In St. Petersburg, Casanova met Empress Catherine the Great and engaged in discussions with her.
- Casanova traveled to Poland, where he was involved in a pistol duel and was forced to leave.
- He continued his travels through Europe, facing imprisonment in Spain and encountering old acquaintances.
01:00:20
Casanova's Life: Love, Work, and Legacy
- Casanova returned to Venice on September 14th, meeting childhood friends like Angela Toselli and his ex-fiancée Caterina Capretta. He stayed at Marco Dandolo's palace despite Bragadin's death.
- Casanova published three volumes of The Iliad translation between 1775 and 1778 but abandoned it due to lack of interest. He resumed work with the Venetian Inquisition in 1776, earning fifteen ducats monthly.
- In 1779, Casanova met seamstress Francesca Buschini, living with her family as a couple. Forced to leave Venice in 1782 after a dispute with Carlo Grimani, he moved to Paris and later became a librarian in Bohemia.
- Casanova met Lorenzo da Ponte in Prague in 1787, where they discussed Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Casanova wrote prolifically at Dux Castle, with his memoirs, published posthumously, becoming his most famous work.
