For a short time, Verdi was a member of the new Italian parliament. “Viva Verdi” was 1850s graffiti code for “Vittorio Emmanuele, Re d’Italia” (Victor Emmanuel, king of Italy), who, in fact, became the first head of state of Italy. What’s in a name: Verdi’s vocal, highly public support for Italian unification made him an important symbol.His long composing career comes to a close with the collection of religious works titled Quattro pezzi sacri (Four sacred pieces). Last works: With his talented librettist Arrigo Boito, Verdi completes two final operas, Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893).To this day, it remains a pillar of the choral and orchestral repertory. Verdi tours the work, in 1875, to Paris, London, and Vienna. Instead, Verdi expands his contribution (a setting of the Libera Me text) into a complete Requiem in honor of a writer and Risorgimento icon, Alessandro Manzoni. Requiem Mass, 1874: After the death of Rossini, Verdi organizes a composite setting of the Requiem Mass in his honor, but it is never performed.In 1871 Aida, one of his most popular operas, is given a simultaneous premiere in Milan and in Egypt, whose ruler had commissioned it. International star, 1847-71: Verdi spends some years outside Italy producing his operas: in Paris, for his French grand operas, Les vêpres siciliennes (The Sicilian vespers, 1854-55) and Don Carlos (1866-67), and in Russia on two trips for the premiere of La forza del destino (The force of destiny, 1861).Over the next decade, Verdi expands and renovates the farmhouse and becomes a major landowner, spending more and more time supervising farm work. Landowner, 1851: Verdi buys a farm at Santa Agata, near his hometown.Verdi later calls this period his “anni di galera” (years as a galley-slave). In this 12-year span,Verdi composes and produces no fewer than 17 operas, including some of his most famous works: Macbeth (premiered in Florence, 1847), Rigoletto (Venice, 1851), Il trovatore (Rome, 1853), and La traviata (Venice 1853). His fifth opera, Ernani (1844), based on the popular Victor Hugo play, becomes a huge international hit, and is commonly staged throughout the 19th century. “Galley-slave years” 1842-1853: His third opera, Nabucco (1842), is a major success.Their two children had died in infancy in preceding two years. Tragedy: Verdi’s wife, Margherita, dies in 1839, just as he is composing his next opera.It is a moderate success and the theater’s impresario signs the composer up for three more operas. Opera debut, 1838: Verdi’s first opera, Oberto, Conte di Bonifacio, is performed at the famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan.Beginnings: Born into a middle-class family, Verdi studies composition in secondary school. In 1832, he is rejected from the Milan Conservatory (he is too old, and his piano technique is unorthodox), so he takes private composition lessons in Milan.
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