Dr Von Lyric: Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi

The congruences of chronology have always fascinated me. Coincidence or cosmic planning ?  But surely the overlapping birthdates of  both Verdi and Wagner in 1813 must show some   divine organization. When one adds  the birth of  Georg Buchner (German playwright of WOYZECK source of Berg's opera ) the situation grows complex - and furthermore  it was the year of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI and the year of Kierkegaard's death
Moving on 100 years we can add Benjamin Britten to our anniversary celebrations. But we must also include the unlikely duo of birthday boys Richard Nixon and Albert Camus...and this was the year of  PYGMALION, DEATH IN VENICE and THE RITE OF SPRING. How will we look back on 2013?
We've missed the celebration of the actual  birthday by a week or so but no matter...here are a few of my choice Verdiana Youtube moments  

Leontyne Price

One of my favorite  Verdi arias sung by one of my favorite sopranos Leontyne Price (I play this for my opera class at NYU as an example of the  quintessential  expression of the spirit and  soul and heart of "Opera"  itself )
LEONTYNE PRICE " D'AMOR SULL'ALI ROSEE" IL TROVATORE 1963

My favorite Verdi ensemble (a whole opera compressed into a few  sublimely dramatic minutes)
two versions:
BENIAMINO GIGLI RIGOLETTO QUARTET 1927
ANNA NEBTREBKO VERDI RIGOLETTO QUARTET (2007)

My favorite Verdi chorus
VERDI - NABUCCO  - VA PENSIERO MET 2002

My favorite Verdi finale
VERDI  (FINALE) FALSTAFF

and really one couldn't do a Verdi page without Callas
RARITY! MARIA CALLAS - LA TRAVIATA  LISBONNE  1958

Happy Birthday  Viva Verdi