19th-Century Italian Opera—Giuseppe Verdi

Overview

Giuseppe Verdi did not consciously set out to be an innovator, but his creative genius gradually transformed the conventions of the bel canto tradition that served as the basis for his early operatic endeavors. The essence of Verdi’s mature style lay in his focus on dramatic continuity. He deemphasized the traditional divisions of aria, recitative, and ensemble in favor of the ongoing dramatic progress of the storyline, and he made characterization and psychological insight critical components of his operatic conception. His operas brought Italian opera to its greatest height.