Verdi

GIUSEPPE [FORTUNINO FRANCESCO] VERDI

(1813-1901)

Italian composer, born in Busseto of a poor family; became organist and composer in
boyhood, but rejected by Milan Conservatory as "over-aged and insufficiently gifted"!

First opera, OBERTO, 1839, later operas - grafting and individual mastery, (vocal,
orchestral, and dramatic); on to traditional Italian models - include NABUCCO, MACBETH,
RIGOLLETTO, IL TRAVATORE, LA TRAVIATA, SIMON BOCCANEGRA, A MASKED BALL,
THE FORCE OF DESTINY, DON CARLOS, LUISA MILLER, AIDA, OTELLO, and FALSTAFF.

The last two are products of his seventies, and rely less on the appeal of successive (set numbers).

Wrote also a REQUIEM, and a few other works to religious texts, though not himself a church man,
also a string quartet - little else.

In his earlier operas he became the symbol of the resurgent Italian nationalism, and frequently
clashed with censorships suspecting revolutionary

In 1860-5 himself sat as deputy in the part of Italy already unified.
But later lived in seclusion.

Founded a home for aged musicians. After early death of his first wife, lived with and then
married Giuseppina Strepponi. Died in Milan.

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