Composer Giuseppe Verdi (centre) with friends and family at Sant'Agata. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Every time Verdi finished an opera he celebrated by planting another tree, anchoring the spirit of his creative achievements in the earth of his beloved garden. Verdi, the self-styled ‘Peasant from Parma’ was more content planting salad vegetables than he was frequenting the salons of Milanese high society.
Clarissa Dunn provides a fascinating insight into Verdi the man - politician, philanthropist and opera producer, as well as one of the greatest of all Italian opera composers.
This feature was recorded at the time of the 200th anniversary of Verdi's birth.
Giuseppe Verdi Photo: Public Domain
Reflecting on his life and work Verdi considered his best ‘work’ not to be the Requiem or any of his operas but La Casa di Riposo – a home he established for retired musicians.
Believe me, friend, this Home (Casa di Riposo) is really my most beautiful opera.
Verdi’s career coincided with many fascinating political and artistic changes and even technological changes. Nabucco was performed by candlelight, Aida by gas which replaced the candles in the 1870’s and 20 years later Falstaff benefitted from the electric light.
For further information, try these books:
Verdi by Joseph Wechsberg ISBN 0 297 76818 2
Italian Opera by William Weaver ISBN 0 500 01240 7
Singers of Italian Opera: The History of a Profession by John Rosselli
ISBN 0 521 41683 3
Music Details:
VERDI: Sul Fil D'Un Soffio Etesio, from Act 3 of Falstaff - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Anna Moffo (sopranos), Tito Gobbi, Rolando Panerai (baritones), etc, Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus/ Herbert Von Karajan (EMI CDS 49668)
VERDI: Prelude to Act 3, from La Traviata - Royal Opera House Orchestra / Georg Solti (Decca 448 119)
VERDI: Prestissimo, from String Quartet No 3 in E Minor - Leipzig Quartet (MDG 307 1495)
VERDI: Va' Pensiero, from Nabucco - Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala /Claudio Abbado (DG 459 064)
VERDI: Au revoir dans un monde, from Don Carlos - Roberto Alagna (ten), Karita Mattila (sop), José Van Dam (bbar), Eric Halfvarson (bbar), Csaba Airizer (bass), Châtelet Theatre Chorus, Paris Orch/ Antonio Pappano (EMI CDS 5 56152)
VERDI: Cortigiani, Vil Razza Dannata, from Act 2 of Rigoletto - Piero Cappuccilli (bari), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna State Opera Chorus / Carlo Maria Giulini (DG 415 288)
VERDI: Follie! Delirio Vano È Questo!... Sempre Libera, from Act 1 of La Traviata - Angela Gheorghiu (sop), Frank Lopardo (tenor), Royal Opera House Orchestra & Chorus / Georg Solti (Decca 448 119)
VERDI: Su! del Nilo al sacro lido, from Act 1 of Aïda - Leontyne Price, Plácido Domingo, Grace Bumbry, Sherrill Milnes, Ruggero Raimondi, John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra / Erich Leinsdorf (RCA 6198 – 2RC)
VERDI: Sacred Dance of the Priestesses, from Act 1 of Aïda - John Alldis Choir, London Symphony Orchestra / Erich Leinsdorf (RCA 6198 – 2RC)
VERDI: Agnus Dei, from Requiem Mass - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Nicolai Gedda, Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus / Carlo Maria Giulini (EMI CDS 747257)
VERDI: Questa O Quella, from Rigoletto - Carlo Bergonzi tenor, New Philharmonia Orchestra / Nello Santi (Philips 475 6169)
