Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (Le Roncole, 10 October 1813 – Milan, 27 January 1901) was an organist, pianist, conductor but above all a composer. Verdi was one of the greatest composers of Italian operas, of which he wrote a total of twenty-six. His operas were very beloved during his lifetime and still are.

Verdi was actually only addressed as 'Giuseppe' in his youth. Soon he was called 'Verdi' by those around him, including his closest relatives. When his enormous musicality began to become apparent, the respectful 'Maestro' was added to this. Only his father continued to call him Giuseppe throughout his life. 'Fortunino' comes from the Italian word 'fortunato' (fortunate) because his parents – after eight years of marriage – were happily surprised by the arrival of their first child. Verdi is also known as "the swan from Busseto", probably because of the posture he assumed while conducting.

Verdi was born in Le Roncole (in the village there is a large sign with a photograph of Verdi and the quote: 'I am and will always remain a farmer from Le Roncole'), in the Duchy of Parma, at that time occupied by Napoleon. His father, Carlo Verdi, was an innkeeper and his mother, Luisa Uttini, was a silk spinner. At the age of ten, young Verdi received an official appointment as organist of the church in Le Roncole. In 1824 he moved to Busseto.