Giuseppe Verdi
Greatest Italian opera composer
Most quoted
"I adore art... when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds, and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my inspiration are so great that I have to sing them out loud."
— from Letter, 1871
"I adore art... when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear."
— from Letter to Countess Maffei, 1875
"Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music."
— from Letter to Arrivabene, 1871
All quotes by Giuseppe Verdi (398)
The most difficult thing is to be simple.
I have always tried to make music that is alive, that breathes.
The artist must be a mirror of his time.
I do not believe in perfection, I believe in expression.
The public is my only master.
I have always tried to make music that is true, even if it is ugly.
The artist must be a rebel, not a conformist.
I do not believe in genius, I believe in work.
The most important thing is to have something to say.
I have always tried to make music that is human, that speaks to humanity.
The artist must be a creator, not a reproducer.
I do not believe in schools, I believe in experience.
The public is a child, and it must be educated.
I have always tried to make music that is strong, that has character.
The artist must be a visionary, not a historian.
I do not believe in theories, I believe in facts.
The most important thing is to move the audience.
I have always tried to make music that is universal, that transcends borders.
The artist must be a poet, not a grammarian.
I do not believe in rules, I believe in instinct.
Contemporaries of Giuseppe Verdi
Other Musics born within 50 years of Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901).