Francesco da Mosto

Ca' da Mosto

Da Mosto was born into an aristocratic family in Venice,[4] and his family has been part of the city's history for several centuries.[1] Originally, they were wine makers – the name da Mosto coming from the word mosto meaning grape must (juice from crushed grapes). Later, the family became traders, explorers and politicians.[1]

The family's previous Venice residence, the Ca' da Mosto, which can be seen from the Rialto market by the Grand Canal, was lost through marriage[5] in the 17th century, when Chiara da Mosto, a female member of the family, married four times, with each husband dying of natural causes – thus enabling her to become one of the wealthiest people in Venice.[1]

Unfortunately for the da Mosto family, the childless widow had a falling-out with them and on her death in 1603 she left everything to Leonardo Donà dalle Rose, a nephew of her second husband, who went on to become Doge.[1][6]

Da Mosto is the younger son of Count Ranieri da Mosto[7] and Contessa Maria Grazia Vanni d'Archirafi, who comes from a very old Sicilian noble family who are the Dukes of Archirafi and include many noted Italian diplomats and bankers. A Roman Catholic, da Mosto took his first Holy Communion in the crypt of St Mark's.[1] A few years later, he received the sacrament of Confirmation from the future Pope John Paul I.[1]

Da Mosto lives in his family home in Venice, with his South African-born wife Jane,[7] his four children, and his parents. In 1919 Francesco's grandfather Andrea acquired the palazzo where the family now live.[4] When he moved in, the empty picture frames on the walls of the portego were filled with copies of family pictures, including a 15th-century map of the voyages of Alvise da Mosto, who discovered the Cape Verde islands off the west coast of Africa.[8]

When BBC Two decided to make a four-part series about the history of Venice, they contacted Francesco to be the host. He has now presented three series for BBC Two: Francesco's Venice, Francesco's Italy – from Top to Toe and Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage, with accompanying books to the series. He has also published a book entitled Francesco's Kitchen.[9]

In the Doctor Who Confidential series 5 episode Death in Venice, Francesco is featured explaining the history of Venice to Matt Smith.[10]

Shakespeare in Italy was broadcast on BBC Two on May 3 and 10, 2012.[11]

In 2015, da Mosto co-presented the documentary A Sicilian Dream about the Targa Florio, a Sicilian motor race.[12]

• Francesco's Italy: Top to Toe. BBC Books. June 8, 2006. ISBN 978-0-563-49348-8.
• Francesco's Venice. BBC Books. February 8, 2007. ISBN 978-0-563-49363-1.
• Francesco's Kitchen. Ebury Press. October 4, 2007. ISBN 978-0-09-192228-3.
• Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage. BBC Books. May 1, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84607-340-3.

Da Mosto's series Francesco's Italy: Top to Toe, broadcast on BBC Two, shows his journey from his home city of Venice to his mother's origins in Sicily.[13] This series has four episodes: "The Romantic North", "The Garden of Italy", "The Heart of Italy", and "The Land of My Mother".[13]

In the first episode, he visits the Romeo and Juliet balcony in Verona, and the city of Milan. During episode two, he visits Lucca and Florence.[13] During episode 3, he visits Rome and Naples.[13] In the final episode, he visits Sicily, where there is an emotional reunion with his family.[13]

• Interview with The Lady, October 2004