The Life and Work of Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi

The film by Malcolm Hossick tells the remarkable story of Verdi - who rose from poverty and obscurity to become one of the greatest opera composers of all time. It is followed by an overview of his work. Verdi was born in the tiny and remote village of Roncole near Busetto a town in the then principality of Parma, Italy. With the help of a local businessman he was given a good general education and under the local organist a fine training in music. In spite of terrible setbacks in his personal life he went on to become one of Italy's most successful composers of opera. The video traces his career and development over a long life and many operas. He never stood still and in his later years he produced some of his finest work. The video ends with a brief overview of his compositions.