Lorenzo Da Ponte
In 1783 the Austrian Emperor Joseph II founded a new opera company specialising in Italian opera buffa. At the time Storace was singing at the Teatro San Samuele in Venice. Count Giacomo Durazzo, who was both an experienced former theatre director and the Emperor's ambassador, engaged Michael Kelly, as he states in his "Reminiscences". With further recruitment like the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte an outstanding ensemble was formed.