Pietro Chiari, author of Rosara; or the adventures of an actress: a story from real life, was an Italian novelist and playwright. Born on Christmas Day in 1712, Chiari lived to be seventy-two years of age, dying on the thirty-first of August in 1785, leaving over sixty published works—including comedies, tragedies, and novels—to remember his career as a writer. He was an active member of the Jesuit Order before leaving the order in 1747, and from the years 1747 to 1762 he worked as a court poet for Duke Francis III of Modena in Venice, Italy, He also worked as editor for the Gazzetta Veneta, an Italian literary periodical developed by Gasparo Gozzi, from 1761 to 1762. 

 

Chiari was born and died in Brescia, Italy and his works remain significant to Italian literature of the 18th century, providing reflections and commentary on society and the culture of the time period. Author of what is considered to be the first modern Italian novel, La filosofessa italiana (The Italian Philosopher), discusses contemporary social issues through satire and comedy. Having an interest in French influence and despising the writing of Molière, the comedic works of Pietro Chiari popularized the genre of French drama comédie larmoyante, translated as tearful comedy, under the Italian name commedia fiebile—feeble comedy in English. This genre of comedy featured stories of forthcoming tragedies that were, although expected to meet a resolution in the end, did not fail to produce tears and invoke sentimental feelings from the audience. His comedies eventually sparked a rivalry with Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni. Their rivalry is assumed to have come to an end after being mocked in a commedia dell’arte (comedy of the profession) classic titled L’amore delle tre melarance, translated as The Love of the Three Oranges, written by Carlo Gozzi where Goldoni is personified as magician and Chiari as a wicked fairy.

 

Similar to his novel, La filosofessa italiana, Rosara; or the adventures of an actress: a story from real life discusses cultural issues and creates social commentary on topics such as gender and class. Rosara follows the story of a young woman working as an actress in the 18th century while reflecting on how her personal troubles coincide with her professional life.