Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

October 10, 1813 in Le Roncole, Parma, Italy

Death

:

January 27, 1901 in Milan, Italy

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian composer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opera composers of all time. He was born on October 10, 1813, in Le Roncole, a small village near Busseto in the Duchy of Parma, Italy. Verdi was the son of Carlo Verdi, a farmer and innkeeper, and Luigia Uttini, a seamstress. He was the second of their two children, and his older sister, Giuseppina, died at the age of 17. Verdi's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began studying music with the local church organist, Ferdinando Provesi, when he was just seven years old. Provesi recognized Verdi's talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Verdi's father, however, was opposed to the idea and wanted his son to become a farmer like him. Despite his father's objections, Verdi continued to study music and eventually moved to Milan to study at the Milan Conservatory. He was not a particularly diligent student, however, and was often criticized by his teachers for his lack of discipline and focus. Nevertheless, Verdi persevered and eventually graduated from the conservatory in 1835. Verdi's early career was marked by a series of setbacks and disappointments. His first opera, Oberto, was a critical and commercial failure, and his second opera, Un giorno di regno, was even worse. Verdi was devastated by these failures and considered giving up music altogether. However, he was encouraged to continue by his friend and mentor, the composer and conductor Lauro Rossi. Verdi's fortunes began to change in 1842, when he was commissioned to write an opera for the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. The result was Nabucco, a grand historical drama that was an instant success. The opera's famous chorus, "Va, pensiero," became an anthem for Italian nationalism and helped to establish Verdi as a leading figure in the Italian opera scene. Over the next several years, Verdi continued to produce a series of successful operas, including I Lombardi alla prima crociata, Ernani, and Macbeth. In 1851, he wrote Rigoletto, which is widely regarded as one of his greatest works. The opera tells the story of a hunchbacked court jester who seeks revenge against his master, the Duke of Mantua, for seducing his daughter. Rigoletto was an immediate success and remains one of the most popular operas in the repertoire. Verdi's next opera, La traviata, was also a great success, although it was initially controversial due to its subject matter. The opera tells the story of a courtesan, Violetta, who falls in love with a young nobleman, Alfredo, but is forced to give him up when his father intervenes. La traviata was based on a play by Alexandre Dumas fils, and its frank portrayal of the lives of courtesans and their patrons was considered scandalous at the time. Nevertheless, the opera was a critical and commercial success and is now considered one of Verdi's greatest works. Verdi continued to produce a series of successful operas over the next several years, including Il trovatore, La forza del destino, and Don Carlos. In 1871, he wrote Aida, which was commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal. Aida is a grand historical drama set in ancient Egypt and is known for its spectacular sets and costumes. The opera was a great success and remains one of Verdi's most popular works. Verdi's final opera, Falstaff, was written when he was in his 80s and is a comic masterpiece.

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