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 orchestra is the soul of the opera.
I have always tried to write music that is accessible to everyone.
The artist must be a poet.
I have always tried to make my music speak.
The theater is a school of life.
The most important thing is to feel what you are doing.
I have always tried to create something new, even if it is based on the old.
The artist must be a craftsman.
I have always tried to make my music beautiful.
The public is my master.
I have always tried to write music that moves people.
The artist must be a visionary.
I have always tried to make my music dramatic.
The theater is a place of magic.
I have always tried to be simple and clear in my music.
The artist must be a philosopher.
I have always tried to make my music powerful.
The public is my inspiration.
I have always tried to write music that is full of passion.
The artist must be a prophet.
Contemporaries of Giuseppe Verdi
Other Musics born within 50 years of Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901).