“Verdi,” a name synonymous with Italian opera rings a bell. This is Impasse Verdi. It is a small street that is named after the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian composer. He was born near Busseto in 1813. Verdi dominated the Italian opera scene. He came after Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini.
Verdi’s early operas showed sympathy. This was with the Risorgimento movement. It sought the unification of Italy. The chorus “Va, pensiero” is from his opera Nabucco. It captured the spirit of this unification. Verdi became esteemed as a representative of these ideals.
Verdi was born in Le Roncole. His parents were Carlo Giuseppe Verdi and Luigia Uttini. His father was an innkeeper. His mother was a spinner. Verdi had a younger sister. Her name was Giuseppa. She died at 17.
Verdi received private lessons in Latin and Italian. He learned from the village schoolmaster. At age six, he attended the local school. He showed much interest in music. His parents provided him with a spinet.
By 1820, Verdi worked with the local church. He served in the choir. He was an altar boy. He took organ lessons. At eight, Verdi became the official paid organist.
In 1823, Verdi’s parents sent him to school in Busseto. They enrolled him in a Ginnasio. He learned Italian, Latin, humanities, and rhetoric. He began lessons with Ferdinando Provesi. Provesi was the maestro di cappella at San Bartolomeo.
By 1829, Verdi led the Philharmonic. At 15, he wrote “I deliri di Saul.” It was a cantata based on a drama by Vittorio Alfieri. Verdi wanted to study in Milan. He applied to the Conservatory. He became a pupil of Vincenzo Lavigna.
In 1834, Verdi sought Provesi’s former post in Busseto. He obtained the post of maestro di musica. He taught and conducted the Philharmonic. In 1836, he married Margherita Barezzi. She died in 1839.
Verdi’s first opera was Oberto. It was performed in Milan in 1839. It led to a contract for three more works. His second opera was a comedy. It was a flop. Verdi vowed never to compose again.
Verdi gradually worked on the music for Nabucco. It was well received in 1842. It underpinned Verdi’s success. In 1843, Verdi visited Vienna. He oversaw a production of Nabucco.
In 1859, Verdi began to take an active interest in Italian politics. Verdi was elected as a member of the new provincial council. He was appointed to meet with King Vittorio Emanuele II in Turin. Later, Verdi was appointed a member of the Italian Senate.
Verdi died in 1901. He suffered a stroke. He was 87. Verdi was initially buried in Milan. His body was moved to the crypt of the Casa di Riposo.
Verdi’s operas remain popular. They are staged around the world. The Requiem was featured at the funeral of Princess Diana. In 2013, the bicentenary of Verdi’s birth was celebrated.
So here in Impasse Verdi, we remember a musical giant. His contributions to opera and Italian culture are still felt today. Enjoy the rest of your tour.