Giuseppe Verdi's career forms one of the loveliest arcs in musical history. The passion of his works resonates universally while the sophistication of his middle and late operas satisfies demanding ears and tastes. In ÊVerdi: The Operas and Choral WorksÊ Victor Lederer surveys every one of the master's 28 operas and his greatest choral pieces showing Verdi's growth as a musical dramatist ä he would revolutionize the hidebound conventions of 19th-century Italian opera ä and his single-minded pursuit of dramatic truth.ÞAfter describing the chaotic milieu in which Verdi learned his craft the book provides act-by-act analyses of the early masterpieces ÊNabuccoÊ ÊErnaniÊ and ÊMacbethÊ. The neglected operas from the composer's self-described years in the galleys are covered together. Lederer then takes readers through the magnificent sequence of Verdi operas from ÊLuisa MillerÊ onward including the fine but underrated ÊStiffelioÊ. Each of the late operas ä ÊDon CarloÊ ÊAidaÊ and ÊOtelloÊ and ÊFalstaffÊ the twin Shakespearean masterworks that crown Verdi's oeuvre ä is discussed at length in its own chapter. Lederer also examines Verdi's monumental Requiem along with the choral ÊQuattro pezzi sacriÊ Verdi's sublime final achievement. The book comes with a Naxos CD of musical selections representing highlights from throughout Verdi's long remarkable career.
