The triumphal march from Aida is probably one of the best known classical works of all times. This superb transcription by Franco Cesarini retains the exciting spirit of the original. As always his na...
Often, individual parts of operas become very successful, independent instrumental pieces. An outstanding example is the Anvil Chorus from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Il Trovatore. Thanks to its symphonic...
In 1854, Verdi was in Paris to compose I vespri siciliani (1855), a commission from the Theatre of the Opera. The composer soon became intolerant to the requests of the French 'Grand Opéra' as he cons...
Ernani (1844), Giuseppe Verdi's fifth opera, is based on the homonymous tragedy by Victor Hugo. Verdi's success with Ernani, as well as Nabucco and I lombardi alla prima crociata, can be ascribed to t...
For the first draft of the libretto of Un ballo in maschera (1859), Giuseppe Verdi drew his inspiration from the grand-opéra Gustave III by Auber, an opera performed for the first time in Paris in 183...
A technique much employed by Verdi is to alternate main scenes of a drama with others which allow the listener to relax temporarily. These moments are often entrusted to the choir (as in the case of t...