DEATH OF VERDI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11564, 30 January 1901, Page 5

DEATH OF VERDI.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright.

Roue, January 27. VjtßDi has died after two days' illness. All the Italian theatres are closed.

Giuseppe Verdi, composer, was the son of an innkeeper, born at Pancola, in the Duchy of Parma, October 9, 1814, received his first lessons from an organist in -Milan, where he resided from 1833 to 1836; studied diligently under Lavinga, and and in 1839 published his earliest work, a musical drama, entitled, " Oberto di San Bonifazio." His principal compositions are serious operas, and the " Lombardi," one of his first productions, made a strong impression throughout Italy, and laid the foundation of his fame. His best-known oporan are " Nabucodonosor," " Ernani" (founded on Victor Hugo's tragedy), the "Duo Foscari," "Attila," "Macbeth," the " Masnatliari" (founded on the "liobburs," of Schiller), "Louisa Miller," "Rigoletto," the "Trovatore," "La Traviata," "Un Ballo in Maschera" performed in London in 1861), and "Don Carlos" (performed at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, in 1867). The " Masnadieri," written for Her Majesty's Theatre, and produced in 1847, with Jenny Lind as heroine, proved a failure in London, though it has since been successful in Italy. The " Trovatoro" and "La Traviata," have had great success, not only in Italy, but in Germany, France, and England. Signor Verdi's more recent opera 3 are " Giovanno d'Avco," in 1868; " La Forza del Dostino," in 1869; and "Aidn," performed at Snala, Milan, in 1872. Signor Verdi completed, in 1872, a. new opera, in five acts, called "Montezuma," which was given for the first time at La Scala, Milan. This was followed in 1886 by " Otello," which was reproduced at the Lyceum, London, in 1889. In 1893, "Falstaff," a new opera, was produced in Milan, and received with great enthusiasm. At its reproduction at Paris in 1894, Verdi himself was present. On his return from Paris to his native country, in 1880, he received the Order of the Crown of Italy.