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Meeting Mozart: A Novel Drawn From the Secret Diaries of Lorenzo Da Ponte
Meeting A Novel Drawn From the Secret Diaries of Lorenzo Da Ponte is a deftly plotted and richly detailed historical novel that spans generations and involves Mozart, mysteries, masquerades, opera, and spies. It brings to light the incredible life story of Mozart’s librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, the Jewish-born priest who created The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi Fan Tutte. According to one reviewer, Meeting Mozart is “the musical equivalent of The Da Vinci Code.”
The novel opens in the shadows of a war-torn Jewish ghetto in Italy, with the discovery of Lorenzo Da Ponte’s secret diaries by his descendent, an opera-loving, Jewish/Italian-American G.I. stationed outside Venice. In the diaries, Da Ponte reveals how he had to live as a Converso in order to survive the anti-Semitism of his times. Over the course of his colorful lifetime, Da Ponte is a gambler, a poet, a womanizer, a murder suspect. He is a friend to Casanova, Mozart’s collaborator, an insider at the Hapsburg Court of Vienna, and, eventually, the owner of a deli in New Jersey. An associate of such luminaries as James Fenimore Cooper and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he also became the first professor of Italian at Columbia University in New York, as well as the first priest to teach there and, more significantly, the first Jew. Throughout his life, he continued to practice his Jewish faith in secret.
In this multi-generational historical saga, Da Ponte’s struggles parallel those of his descendent, Jake Conegliano, and three generations of the Conegliano family in post-war New York. Like his famous relation, Jake must also hide his Jewishness in order to work for the C.I.A. tracking down escaped Nazis, including those who murdered many of his Italian relatives.
Meeting A Novel Drawn From the Secret Diaries of Lorenzo Da Ponte is the follow-up to Howard Jay Smith’s award-winning novel, Beethoven in Love; Opus 139. Both books are wonderfully imagined stories set in the world of musical giants. The results are splendid literary novels that incorporate both mystery and historical fiction. Smith takes readers from the stylish streets of Europe’s most important musical cities to a Jewish deli in early modern New York. And he reintroduces us to captivating historical figures as varied as Mozart, Casanova, and Clement Moore in a complex and often-riveting tale about creativity, identity, and purpose.
Praise for Meeting Mozart“Ever since the release of Amadeus, the concept of writing historical fiction based on the golden age of classical music, has flourished… Frankly speaking, many of them are outstripped by this new riveting book. 5 out of 5 Stars”—CityBookReview.com
“A captivating, classical music-themed tale starring Mozart’s famous collaborator.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Meeting Mozart by Howard Jay Smith is a thrilling historical novel … This beautifully illustrated book is a gift from the award-winning author.” —OnlineBookClub.org
“Howard Jay Smith has written the musical equivalent of The Da Vinci Code.” —Patricia Morrisroe, author, The Woman in the Moonlight
“Smith writes with a wonderful command of language and a deep knowledge of history, music, and opera. An absolute delight to read.
The novel opens in the shadows of a war-torn Jewish ghetto in Italy, with the discovery of Lorenzo Da Ponte’s secret diaries by his descendent, an opera-loving, Jewish/Italian-American G.I. stationed outside Venice. In the diaries, Da Ponte reveals how he had to live as a Converso in order to survive the anti-Semitism of his times. Over the course of his colorful lifetime, Da Ponte is a gambler, a poet, a womanizer, a murder suspect. He is a friend to Casanova, Mozart’s collaborator, an insider at the Hapsburg Court of Vienna, and, eventually, the owner of a deli in New Jersey. An associate of such luminaries as James Fenimore Cooper and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he also became the first professor of Italian at Columbia University in New York, as well as the first priest to teach there and, more significantly, the first Jew. Throughout his life, he continued to practice his Jewish faith in secret.
In this multi-generational historical saga, Da Ponte’s struggles parallel those of his descendent, Jake Conegliano, and three generations of the Conegliano family in post-war New York. Like his famous relation, Jake must also hide his Jewishness in order to work for the C.I.A. tracking down escaped Nazis, including those who murdered many of his Italian relatives.
Meeting A Novel Drawn From the Secret Diaries of Lorenzo Da Ponte is the follow-up to Howard Jay Smith’s award-winning novel, Beethoven in Love; Opus 139. Both books are wonderfully imagined stories set in the world of musical giants. The results are splendid literary novels that incorporate both mystery and historical fiction. Smith takes readers from the stylish streets of Europe’s most important musical cities to a Jewish deli in early modern New York. And he reintroduces us to captivating historical figures as varied as Mozart, Casanova, and Clement Moore in a complex and often-riveting tale about creativity, identity, and purpose.
Praise for Meeting Mozart“Ever since the release of Amadeus, the concept of writing historical fiction based on the golden age of classical music, has flourished… Frankly speaking, many of them are outstripped by this new riveting book. 5 out of 5 Stars”—CityBookReview.com
“A captivating, classical music-themed tale starring Mozart’s famous collaborator.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Meeting Mozart by Howard Jay Smith is a thrilling historical novel … This beautifully illustrated book is a gift from the award-winning author.” —OnlineBookClub.org
“Howard Jay Smith has written the musical equivalent of The Da Vinci Code.” —Patricia Morrisroe, author, The Woman in the Moonlight
“Smith writes with a wonderful command of language and a deep knowledge of history, music, and opera. An absolute delight to read.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 24, 2023
What a compelling look at Mozart's famed librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, who disguised himself as a priest to hide his background as a Jew in the 1700s. Deftly researched and written, MEETING MOZART -- described by author Patricia Morrisroe as The Da Vinci Code of music -- reveals Da Ponte's poignant generational story through gorgeous prose, gripping suspense, and a brilliant grasp of music, history, and religion. Highly recommended for fans of stunning historical tales who adore all things Mozart.
January 14, 2021
Fantastic Read - My Book Club Loves this - Called "The Musical Equivalent of the Da Vinci Code"
We have been waiting for this novel, a brilliant follow up to Smith's Beethoven In Love; Opus 139. It is a heart-warming and thrilling tale inspired by Mozart and his magical librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, Jew who became a Catholic priest, yet still had to overcome the challenges of life for Jews. It also wonderfully tracks the discovery of Da Ponte's Secret Diaries by his modern descendants who must also face the horrors of the Holocaust and eloquently rise above them. Masterfully written and a rocket ship of a ride.
We have been waiting for this novel, a brilliant follow up to Smith's Beethoven In Love; Opus 139. It is a heart-warming and thrilling tale inspired by Mozart and his magical librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, Jew who became a Catholic priest, yet still had to overcome the challenges of life for Jews. It also wonderfully tracks the discovery of Da Ponte's Secret Diaries by his modern descendants who must also face the horrors of the Holocaust and eloquently rise above them. Masterfully written and a rocket ship of a ride.
February 28, 2021
This is a highly imaginative novel that combines excellent writing, a wonderful plot, a tremendous knowledge of Mozart's music, interesting/believable characters, and historical settings that allow you to insert yourself into the two eras: late 18th century Italy and Austria as well as late 20th century America. A definite must read!
December 8, 2021
Dreadful, dreadful book. The writing was so horrifically bad I kept putting it down and walking away. I kept hoping I would actually learn something about DaPonte other than that he lusted for the breasts of every woman he saw, which we had to read over and over and over again. And the modern plot inter-twined with it was so unbelievable. Everyone is a prodigy and the only music they every seem to listen to is Mozart's three operas. Finally, the author keeps quoting long passages from the operas, thinking that it describes every situation possible. You would have to be a fan of opera, Mozart AND bad writing to get through this.
June 30, 2026
A Brilliant Blend of History, Mystery, and Music
Meeting Mozart is an exceptional historical novel that completely captivated me from beginning to end. Howard Jay Smith masterfully combines rich historical research with compelling storytelling, bringing Lorenzo Da Ponte's remarkable life vividly to the page. The seamless blend of fact and fiction makes the story feel authentic while keeping the suspense alive.
I especially loved how the novel explores themes of identity, faith, survival, and the enduring power of art across generations. The connections between Da Ponte's extraordinary life and his descendant's journey create an emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking narrative. Whether you're a fan of Mozart, historical fiction, or simply enjoy intelligent, well-crafted novels, this book delivers on every level.
Smith's writing is elegant, immersive, and filled with fascinating historical detail without ever slowing the pace. By the final page, I felt as though I had traveled through centuries alongside unforgettable characters.
A beautifully written, deeply researched masterpiece that deserves far more recognition. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and classical music alike!
Meeting Mozart is an exceptional historical novel that completely captivated me from beginning to end. Howard Jay Smith masterfully combines rich historical research with compelling storytelling, bringing Lorenzo Da Ponte's remarkable life vividly to the page. The seamless blend of fact and fiction makes the story feel authentic while keeping the suspense alive.
I especially loved how the novel explores themes of identity, faith, survival, and the enduring power of art across generations. The connections between Da Ponte's extraordinary life and his descendant's journey create an emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking narrative. Whether you're a fan of Mozart, historical fiction, or simply enjoy intelligent, well-crafted novels, this book delivers on every level.
Smith's writing is elegant, immersive, and filled with fascinating historical detail without ever slowing the pace. By the final page, I felt as though I had traveled through centuries alongside unforgettable characters.
A beautifully written, deeply researched masterpiece that deserves far more recognition. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and classical music alike!
March 19, 2026
A novel beginning in WWLL in Italy, moving on to Venice .Vienna and Prague and ending in NYC. The story involves a Jewish priest who poses himself as Catholic to save his neck. He is a librettist who composes and upon meeting Mozart, becomes his librettist.for many of Mozart's operas. They are good together and enjoy life to the fullest. ( rather more than full). After many ups and downs, they are about to leave for London, when Mozart becomes ill and dies. A book about Mozart, called the Mozart diaries, is found and yeas later is being translated in the US by an heir of the priests. He goes to Italy, to the small town which was destroyed by the Holocaust and finds family. and is told to never give up and never forget who you are and where you came from.
March 8, 2023
I loved this book! I think about it often, and only wish it hadn't ended, as I would love to know even more about the characters in the book! The very real story of Lorenzo Da Ponte, Mozart's librettist, and the man who brought opera to the USA, is a fascinating one, and this book makes it delightfully accessible! If you have any interest in Mozart & his era, Italy, history, Jewish history, WWII, etc., you will love this book!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews