Welcome to an audio-guided walk, entirely dedicated to the famous musician Giuseppe Verdi. We start our journey in the world of music here, in front of his former house (today a private property), in Cesare Correnti Street number 15. By lingering near this unassuming facade, we have the opportunity to unravel the obscured history and origins concealed within this space.

Long ago, Giovanni Verdi, one of the most famous Italian composers of all time, was born on 10 October 1813, in the small village of Le Roncole, located not far from Parma city. His humble origins did not foreshadow the greatness he would achieve in the field of music. As a matter of fact, since an early age Verdi showed exceptional talent for it. Encouraged by his family and his benefactor Antonio Barezzi, he began studying music and playing the piano. His passion for composition, together with the financial support of Sir Barezzi, brought him at the age of nineteen to Milan, one of the liveliest cultural centres in 19th-century Italy. So it was that in 1832 he took the entrance exam for the Milan Conservatory. However, he was refused and told that the posture of his hand was incorrect for his already advanced age (musically speaking). Furthermore, young Giuseppe was informed that it would be impossible to correct this vice or to improve his poor knowledge of the rules of counterpoint.

Despite facing heavy rejection, Verdi seized the opportunity to perfect his musical training. With adequate advice from established musicians, after a year of hard work, one of his pieces was finally chosen for the Conservatory application. Thus began his significant musical career and his affection for the city of Milan.

In the formative years, Verdi grappled with both challenges and triumphs, embarking on a quest to secure acknowledgment in the fiercely competitive realm of music. Nevertheless, a pivotal chapter unfolded as Verdi joined his destiny with that of the city’s musical milieu. Notably, this juncture saw his union with Margherita Barezzi, the daughter of Antonio Barezzi—an influential patron who played a pivotal role in shaping the path of Giuseppe Verdi’s illustrious journey.

He began frequenting the most important salons in Milan, such as La Scala Theatre, where he acquainted himself with famous conductors and musicians. His name and works became increasingly known when he moved with his wife and young children, Icilio and Virginia, to this house at Cesare Correnti Street number 15.

The four of them settled here for a couple of years; however, the splendor of the setting was overshadowed by a tragic chapter in the composer’s existence. The fleeting joy of the young family was abruptly cut short, as Verdi faced the premature loss of his wife and two children.

Simultaneously, the La Scala Theatre bore witness to the dual unveiling of Verdi’s operas — “Oberto” and “Un giorno di regno” (translated as “A One-Day Reign”). While the former garnered a warm reception from the audience, the latter proved to be an outright fiasco. This confluence of personal bereavement and professional setback plunged Giuseppe Verdi into a profound state of despondency, pushing him to the brink of abandoning his musical pursuits.

In this challenging moment, it was Bartolomeo Merelli, the astute manager of La Scala Theatre, who extended his unwavering belief in Verdi’s potential. Entrusting him with the libretto for the now-legendary opera “Nabucco”, Merelli provided the impetus for Verdi to transcend his adversity. Embracing the commission, Giuseppe Verdi composed the music for “Nabucco,” and its triumphant debut at La Scala in 1842 marked the resounding revival of the artist’s true calling. This pivotal moment served as the catalyst for Verdi’s illustrious career, yielding the timeless masterpieces that resonate through the corridors of musical history.

After observing this building, and imagining the difficult emotional situation of the young composer, we may proceed to the next place, a curious masterpiece of artistic creativity: the Church of San Satiro.

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