Celestina, La

Spanish novel, published anonymously 1499 under the title La Comedia de Calisto y Melibea, but generally known as La Celestina from its principal character. Written in dialogue form, probably by Fernando de Rojas (c. 1465-1541), the work owes its success to its intense tragic power and magnificent characterization.

La Celestina, which may be called the first European novel, has been translated into French, Italian, Latin, and English.

Celestina, La

Opera by Felipe Pedrell (libretto based on an anonymous 15th-16th-century Spanish dialogue novel, La comedia de Calisto y Melibia, sometimes attributed to Fernando de Rojas). It was not produced.