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As a tribute to inspirational Italians, we name rooms in honor of their contributions to history. We believe that acknowledging the past and paying respect to these selected individuals is our way of showing appreciation. While many Italians have left a mark on society, we chose three who exemplify dedication and hard work.
Giuseppe Verdi, (60-95 People) one of the great composers of Italian opera, created very popular music during his lifetime and is praised until today. At the age of 12, Verdi moved from Le Roncole to Busseto, where he studied music with Ferdinando Provesi. Before moving to Milan, he composed an overture for Gioacchino Rossini’s Il Barbiere de Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). In Milan, Verdi had private studies with Vincent Lavigna. Later, he became the municipal music director of Busseto.
In 1839, he produced the opera Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio, which led to contracts for other operatic works. Three years later, he achieved first real success with Nabucco. He expressed nationalism and the yearning for Italy to be freed from oppression and become united.
After years of writing operas and becoming wealthy, Verdi assisted in the birth of the Kingdom of Italy. In 1861, he became Deputy in the first parliament of the new Italy, but that did not stop him from composing music. In 1872, one of the most known operas in America, Aida, premiered. Verdi’s style of serving the audience of the public rather than the musical elite made him one of the most important figures in Italian music and society.
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