Verdi - Hardcover

Osborne, Charles

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0394541103 ISBN 13: 9780394541105

Publisher: Knopf, 1987

Synopsis

Includes letters written by Verdi and his acquaintances that illuminate the personal side of the innkeeper's son turned successful composer

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

Author of The Complete Operas of Verdi, Osborne here assesses Verdi's career as a practical man of the theater. Not comparable to Julian Budden's massive three-volume study or to Warren Weaver's collection of documents, it is nevertheless a lively, more accessible account of the personality and achievements of a dynamic, imperious, fanatically honest cultural hero who, through determination and genius, developed from unsophisticated, crude beginnings into the greatest Italian composer of the 19th century. Son of an illiterate tavern keeper, Verdi in time associated with many of the leading social and political figures of his day, yet remained true to his humble origins. Based largely on letters from and to Verdi, Osborne's biography will take its place as the standard work. Photos. Performing Arts Book Club selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

The focus of this worthwhile biography is identified in the sub-titleVerdi's life is relation to his art. Osborne draws heavily on source documents for his portrait of the composer, emphasizing the germination, writing, and production of his 28 operas. While the sometimes-lengthy quotations are judiciously chosen and provide a fine flavor of the era's cultural, political, and intellectual climate, their sheer number tends to distract the reader. Still, Osborne is thorough and addresses definitively some problems that have plagued previous biographers. An important addition to Verdi studies, recommended for most collections. Eric W. Johnson, Univ. of Bridgeport Lib., Conn.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0394541103
• ISBN 13: 9780394541105
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360