Giuseppe Verdi

Background ► Born October 10 th, 1813 in Roncole, Italy ► Father Carlo Verdi, “inkeeper” ► Mother Luigia Uttini, “spinner” ► Middle class- landowners and traders ► He was first introduced to music at age four by local priests ► In 1831 he moved in with musician Antonio Barezzi and began giving singing and piano lessons ► Married Barezzi’s daughter, Margherita ► Had two children with Margherita:a daughter, Virginia and a son, Icilio Romano ► 1838 both children die from pneumonia

Background ► The death of his wife in 1840 and of his two children two years earlier resulted in his first composition which was 6 mournful songs ► 1868 Verdi meets Italian poet Allessandro Manzoni ► Verdi went on to take different companions but never remarried ► 1874 finishes the Requiem which he wrote for Allessandro Manzoni. The Requiem is preformed in Milan, exactly one year after Manzoni’s death ► Continued composing and revising various operas ► 1901 Verdi suffers a fatal stroke and dies on January 27 th ► His funeral was preformed without music or singing as a result of Verdi’s wishes

Works Operas Verdi is mostly known for his 28 operas including, Nabucco, Aida and Macbeth in 1847 Church Music The most famous of his works include the Requiem, the Quattro pezzi sacri (Four Sacred Pieces) and the Ave Maria sulla scala enigmatica

The Requiem The Roman Catholic Funeral Mass meaning “Grant them eternal rest, O Lord” meaning “Grant them eternal rest, O Lord” completed in 1874 to mark the 1 st anniversary of the death of Italian poet and novelist, Allessandro Manzoni also referred to as the Manzoni Requiem completed in 1874 to mark the 1 st anniversary of the death of Italian poet and novelist, Allessandro Manzoni also referred to as the Manzoni Requiem the Requiem was first preformed in Milan one year after Manzoni’s death the Requiem was first preformed in Milan one year after Manzoni’s death While most considered him a genius some critics thought the Requiem was too operatic While most considered him a genius some critics thought the Requiem was too operatic

Structure of the Work 1. Requiem and Kyrie Eleison (chorus, soloists) 2. Dies Irae 3. Offertorio (soloists) 4. Sanctus (double chorus) 5. AGNUS DEI (soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus) 6. Lux Aeterna (mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass 7. Libera Me (soprano, chorus)

AGNUS DEI Prayer to Jesus, to the Lamb of God

Text &Translation Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of world miserere nobis have mercy on us Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of world dona nobis pacem grant us peace

Did you know??? The Agnus Dei was introduced in the Mass by Pope Sergius ( ), which may have been a defiant act against the Byzantine empire (Constantinople), who ruled that Christ shall not be depicted as an animal. The Agnus Dei, like the Credo, was one of the last things to be added to the Mass Ordinary. (Green)

Behind the Music Uses strong rhythms, moving melodies and dramatic contrasts Uses strong rhythms, moving melodies and dramatic contrasts Strives to express the powerful emotions created by the text Strives to express the powerful emotions created by the text The most angelic of the piecesThe most angelic of the pieces Preformed by female soloists in combination with the choir Preformed by female soloists in combination with the choir

Bibliography Green, Aaron. Classical Music Retrieved April 17, mass/f/agnusdeihistory.htm mass/f/agnusdeihistory.htm Lawson, Anne. Verdiana Retrieved April 11, Pilkington, Michael. Requiem. Great Britain: Novello and Company Limited, 1993