Verdi, Guiseppe

            
             Giuseppe Verdi, Italian composer, was known as the greatest Italian musical dramatist. Verdi was born in Roncole, Italy, a small town of few inhabitants in 1813. He was from peasant stock. His father, Carlos, was an innkeeper, and his mother a spinner. From a very young age, Giuseppe showed an interest in music. "His happiest hours were on Sunday, when he heard the organ at the parish church" (Thomas pg.149). Although he never showed any signs of talent his parents were aware of his fascination with organ music, and purchased him an old spinet. At the early age of seven, Giuseppe became an alter boy at the local church of San Michele Arcangelo. Soon after his parents bought him the spinet, he was studying and helping the church organist. Soon he was substituting for the organist and at age nine took the position permanently.
             In 1823, after realizing that a small town such as Roncole could never provide the education his young talented son required, Verdi's father sent him to school in nearby Busseto. Busseto was a heavily populated city, filled with art and culture, for it was the home of the Philharmonic Society and a musical school. Every Sunday Guiseppe walked back to Roncole to continue playing the organ at San Michele. "The move to Busseto was of crucial importance, as it was there that he came into contact with two men who were to be of considerable influence during the next decade"(Parker, pg.263).
             The first man was Antonio Barezzi, a merchant who sold groceries and wine to Giuseppe's father. Barezzi took a liking to the young Giuseppe whom had visited Barezzi's warehouse running errands for his father. Barezzi, president and founder of the Philharmonic Society, was a lover of music. The other man was Ferdinando Provesi, director of the public music school and the Philharmonic Society. From 1825 to 1829, Verdi took piano lessons and studied under Provesi at the music school. In 1829, at the age of 12 Giuseppe became Provesi's assistant.