Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Available for over a year

Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Giuseppe Verdi, following the rebellious streak that carried him from a small village in northern Italy to the centre of the operatic world. Supported by mentors but determined to follow his own path, Verdi overcame early setbacks, personal tragedy and professional uncertainty to become one of the defining voices of nineteenth-century music. As success brought fame, he continued to challenge convention, confronting censors, testing the boundaries of opera and refusing to bend easily to public expectations. Along the way, his music became closely entwined with the story of a changing Italy, turning a provincial composer into a cultural figure of national significance. Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Giuseppe Verdi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032s5w/episodes/guide And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z Music featured includes: Nabucco: "Va, pensiero" Romanza senza parole Messa di Gloria Pater Noster Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: "Oh patria terra, alfine io ti rivedo" Aida: Grand March Sei Romanze (1838): Nos. 1 Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: Overture Un giorno di regno: Sinfonia Requiem: Lux aeterna; Libera me Attila: Prelude Un giorno di regno: "Pietoso al lungo pianto" Nabucco: Sinfonia; "Gli arredi festivi" Ernani: Act I scenes Macbeth: Prelude; Act I scenes Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile" Rigoletto: Act I scenes Luisa Miller: "Ti desta, Luisa" Stiffelio: Overture La traviata: Act I scenes La traviata: "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" La battaglia di Legnano: scenes Simon Boccanegra: "Plebe! Patrizi!" Don Carlo: Act III scenes Requiem: Dies irae