Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Donald Macleod explores the relationship between Verdi and the city of Milan.

As the hearse carrying the coffin of the composer Giuseppi Verdi travelled through Milan, more than half of the city’s population lined the streets to pay their respects and catch a final glimpse of their hero. Few musicians have made such an indelible impression on the population of a country, and become more linked to their sense of identity than him. And fewer still have become as ingrained in the fabric of a city as Verdi is in Milan. Today, as well as a statue to the composer, both the Conservatoire and a major theatre are named after him. So how was this relationship, between the city of Milan, and Verdi – a man born in Le Roncole, which was then French territory – who would rise to become the most successful Italian composer of his generation, forged? Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores the twists and turns of Verdi’s relationship with Milan -where Verdi would see his first iconic successes, and where he would breathe his last, but also a city where, for a time, he tried to ban the performances of his music.

Music Featured:

Requiem - Sanctus Io la Vidi (Scena lirica) La Forza del Destino - Overture La seduzione Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio (excerpt) Nabucco - “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” I Lombardi alla prima crociata – “Oh belle, a questa misera” Ernani – “Ernani Involami” Giovanna d’Arco – Act 1, Scene 2 Alzira Overture Macbeth (1847 version) – “ Vegliammo invan due notti - “Un lume recasi in man?” La battaglia di legnano – “Giuriam d’Italia” Aida – “Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside”; triumphal march La Forza del Destino – “La Vergine degli angeli” Requiem – Libera Me, Domine Falstaff – Act II Scene II Otello - “Ave Maria”

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips

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 (1813-1901) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dpc0

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