Verdi

Verdi was an Italian opera composer whose work helped define the development of 19th-century Italian opera. Born on October 10, 1813, in Le Roncole near Busseto, he rose from provincial origins to become one of the most influential figures in Western music. His career spanned the bel canto era and the Romantic period, and his operas remain central to the repertoire today. He died on January 27, 1901, in Milan.

Verdi's breakthrough came with Nabucco (1842), a drama that established his reputation and featured the famous chorus Va, pensiero. He followed with a string of highly successful operas during the 1840s and 1850s, including Rigoletto (1851), Il trovatore (1853), and La traviata (1853). In 1871 he achieved international fame with Aida, premiered in Cairo for a grand celebratory occasion. After a period of intense activity, Verdi continued to produce major works late in life, notably Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893), the latter written with the librettist Arrigo Boito.

Verdi is celebrated for his dramatic sense, vivid characterizations, and melodic invention. His music often combines powerful vocal writing with rich orchestration, enabling complex psychological portrayal and high dramatic impact. He worked with several librettists early in his career, including Temistocle Solera and Francesco Maria Piave, and later collaborated with Boito on Otello and Falstaff, guiding the librettos to complement his evolving musical and dramatic aims.

Verdi's influence extends beyond opera; he became a symbol of Italian national confidence during the Risorgimento era, and his career helped shape modern Italian opera. His name remains synonymous with a distinctive, emotionally direct style that continues to resonate in concert and on stage.