Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (1813-1901) was the most distinguished Italian opera composer in the 19th century. His career and work, the antithesis of those of Wagner, represent the final flourishing of the Italian opera tradition.

Giuseppe Verdi was born on Oct. 10, 1813, in Le Roncole in the duchy of Parma. He early demonstrated an inclination to music. His family, being very poor, could do nothing to aid him. When he was 13, a merchant of nearby Busseto, Antonio Barezzi, took a lively interest in the young boy and encouraged him in his studies. At the age of 18 Verdi went to Milan to audition for the conservatory despite the fact that, even if he should be successful, he was already too old to be admitted. He was rejected only because of his age, but he was able to remain in Milan to continue his studies privately.

After several years of intermittent...