Giacomo Girolamo Casava was born in Venice in 1725 to actress Zanetta Farussi, wife of actor and dancer Gaeta Giuseppe Casava. Giacomo was the first of six children, being followed by Francesco Giuseppe (1727-1803), Giovanni Battista (1730-1795), Faustina Maddalena (1731-1736), Maria Maddalena Antonia Stella (1732-1800), and Gaeta Alvise (1734-1783). At the time of Casava's birth, the Republic of Venice thrived as the pleasure capital of Europe, ruled by political and religious conservatives who tolerated social vices and encouraged tourism. It was a required stop on the Grand Tour, traveled by young men coming of age, especially Englishmen. The famed Carnival, gambling houses, and beautiful courtesans were powerful drawing cards. This was the milieu that bred Casava and made him its most famous and representative citizen. -wikipedia