On the centenary of his death, choirs the length of the peninsula will sing what is arguably Verdi's most popular non-operatic work, "Requiem." Verdi's body was sent on its way by an 800-strong choir singing a chorus from the composer's opera "Nabucco" led by legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini. The streets of Milan were draped in black and crowded with an incredible 200,000 mourners. When his body was taken to the Rest Home for Musicians a month after his death, the procession became a state ceremony. Such was his popularity that when he lay dying in Milan, aged 87, people laid matting on the street outside so the maestro would not be disturbed by traffic rolling past. Verdi has always held a special place in the hearts of Italians, bucking the theory that the true greats were misunderstood or under-valued in their own eras. Verdi, who fought his way to musical fame and fortune from humble beginnings in northern Italy, died on January 27, 1901, and his compatriots are preparing to celebrate the centenary in style.įrom Milan's world-renowned La Scala opera house to the small village of Le Roncole where Verdi was born, the year will be full of homage to the composer of such favourites as "La Traviata," "Rigoletto" and "Aida." MILAN, Italy - Italy is gearing up for festivities to mark the centenary of the death of a national icon, opera composer Giuseppe Verdi.
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