Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Giuseppe Verdi, following the rebellious streak that carried him from a small village in northern Italy to the centre of the operatic world. Supported by mentors but determined to follow his own path, Verdi overcame early setbacks, personal tragedy and professional uncertainty to become one of the defining voices of nineteenth-century music. As success brought fame, he continued to challenge convention, confronting censors, testing the boundaries of opera and refusing to bend easily to public expectations. Along the way, his music became closely entwined with the story of a changing Italy, turning a provincial composer into a cultural figure of national significance.

Presented by Kate Molleson

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales

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: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032s5w/episodes/guide

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

Music featured includes:

Nabucco: "Va, pensiero"

Romanza senza parole

Messa di Gloria

Pater Noster

Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: "Oh patria terra, alfine io ti rivedo"

Aida: Grand March

Sei Romanze (1838): Nos. 1

Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: Overture

Un giorno di regno: Sinfonia

Requiem: Lux aeterna; Libera me

Attila: Prelude

Un giorno di regno: "Pietoso al lungo pianto"

Nabucco: Sinfonia; "Gli arredi festivi"

Ernani: Act I scenes

Macbeth: Prelude; Act I scenes

Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile"

Rigoletto: Act I scenes

Luisa Miller: "Ti desta, Luisa"

Stiffelio: Overture

La traviata: Act I scenes

La traviata: "Libiamo ne' lieti calici"

La battaglia di Legnano: scenes

Simon Boccanegra: "Plebe! Patrizi!"

Don Carlo: Act III scenes

Requiem: Dies irae