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