Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (/dʒuˈzɛppe fortuˈniːno franˈt͡ʃesko ˈverdi/), born Joseph Fortunin François Verdi on 10 October 1813 in Roncole and died 27 January 1901 in Milan, is an Italian Romantic composer. His work, composed essentially of operas, uniting melodic power with psychological and legendary depth, is one of the most important in the history of musical theatre.

Verdi is one of the most influential Italian opera composers of the nineteenth century, his influence comparable to that of Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti and Giacomo Puccini. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long been part of popular culture such as "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, the "Brindisi" from La traviata, "Va, pensiero" from Nabucco or the "Triumphal March" from Aida. Verdi's operas still dominate the operatic repertoire one and a half centuries after their creation.

Little politically engaged, he nevertheless allowed the use of his image and his works in the process of reunification of the Italian peninsula and remains, alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi and Camillo Cavour, an emblematic figure of the Risorgimento.