Giuseppe Giuseppe Fortunino Fortunino Francesco Francesco VerdiVerdi

October 9 or 10, 1813 – January 27, 1901October 9 or 10, 1813 – January 27, 1901

BioBio Born in ItalyBorn in Italy When he showed early talent, a music-When he showed early talent, a music-

loving grocer paid for his music loving grocer paid for his music education.education.

Verdi was one of the greatest opera Verdi was one of the greatest opera composers who ever lived, and one of the composers who ever lived, and one of the few composers to die rich and famous!few composers to die rich and famous!

Political Climate of the Political Climate of the DayDay

Back then, Italy was not a united country, Back then, Italy was not a united country, and a lot of it was under Austrian rule. and a lot of it was under Austrian rule. Nabucco, one of the earliest operas that Nabucco, one of the earliest operas that Verdi wrote, included a chorus of Hebrew Verdi wrote, included a chorus of Hebrew slaves longing for their country "so beautiful slaves longing for their country "so beautiful and lost." Italians latched onto Verdi's and lost." Italians latched onto Verdi's "Chorus of Hebrew Slaves" as an unofficial "Chorus of Hebrew Slaves" as an unofficial anthem for a nation that wasn’t even born anthem for a nation that wasn’t even born yet. yet.

Political Climate of the Political Climate of the DayDay

Verdi and his music became part of the Verdi and his music became part of the Italian struggle for independence. Even Italian struggle for independence. Even his name became a political statement. his name became a political statement. The letters V-E-R-D-I are the first letters The letters V-E-R-D-I are the first letters of the phrase "Vittorio Emanuele, Rei of the phrase "Vittorio Emanuele, Rei D'Italia," which translates to "Victor D'Italia," which translates to "Victor Emanuel, King of Italy."Emanuel, King of Italy."

Political Climate of the Political Climate of the DayDay

Victor Emanuel was the man Italians Victor Emanuel was the man Italians wanted to be their ruler. When Italians wanted to be their ruler. When Italians shouted "Viva Verdi (long live Verdi)!" shouted "Viva Verdi (long live Verdi)!" their Austrian rulers didn't know that they their Austrian rulers didn't know that they were talking politics, not opera, because were talking politics, not opera, because the Austrians knew how much the Italians the Austrians knew how much the Italians loved opera.loved opera.

http://www.classicsforkids.com/composers/bio.asp?id=60http://www.classicsforkids.com/composers/bio.asp?id=60

Famous OperasFamous Operas Rigoletto Rigoletto La donna è mobileLa donna è mobile Premiered on March 11, 1851, Venice (Italy) Premiered on March 11, 1851, Venice (Italy) Andrea Bocelli singsAndrea Bocelli sings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNu4O6bL2Ao

La TraviataLa Traviata Premiered in Venice in 1853 Premiered in Venice in 1853 One of the most produced operas of all timeOne of the most produced operas of all time The original premiere of the work was initially considered a The original premiere of the work was initially considered a

“fiasco” by Verdi himself.“fiasco” by Verdi himself.