A First Book of Verdi

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi dominated the opera world for most of the nineteenth century, and his works remain a mainstay of theaters around the world. From Rigoletto's sprightly "La donna é mobile" to the rousing "Anvil Chorus" of Il Trovatore, the composer's music is known and loved by people who never set foot in an opera house. Now novice keyboardists of all ages can play selections from Verdi's most popular works with these special arrangements of 32 pieces.
Highlights include the charming aria "Heavenly Aida" from the opera set in Egypt during the reign of the pharaohs; Nabucco's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves," also known as "Va, pensiero" ("Hasten, Thoughts"); the Prelude to Act III of La Traviata; the opening of Requiem, Verdi's setting of the Catholic Mass for the Dead; plus selections from Macbeth, Otello, Jerusalem, and other operas. Each selection features a brief introduction, and all the compositions are available as downloadable MP3s (see inside for details).

Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) ranked among opera's preeminent composers by the time he was 30. His works were embraced by Italian patriots seeking to unify their country and free it from foreign control; Verdi was active in the political world and elected to the first Italian parliament. Today his operas are staged around the world, and all of them are available in a number of recorded versions.
Former Dover editor David Dutkanicz holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, New York University, and Columbia University. He is the editor of several books in this series.

CONTENTS

Introduction
“Anvil Chorus” from Il Trovatore
“Now to Die” from Ernani
Prelude from Il Trovatore
“Come in quest’ora bruna” from Simon Boccanegra
“Heavenly Aida” from Aida
“Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” from Nabucco
Overture from Macbeth
Prelude from Jerusalem
Prelude to Act III from La Traviata
“Dio, che nell’alma infondere amor” from Don Carlos
“Ah, la paterna mano” from Macbeth
Act III, Scene 2 (opening) from Falstaff 
Requiem (opening)
Sinfonia from Nabucco
“Adio, mio cor, mia vita” from Jerusalem
“Laudi” from Four Sacred Pieces
Lacrymosa from Requiem
Gran Scena from Macbeth
“Ave Maria” from Otello
“Bella figlia dell-amore” from Rigoletto
“La vergine degli angeli” from La Forza del Destino
“Romanza” from Un Ballo in Maschera
“Grand March” from Aida
“Drinking Song” from La Traviata
Sinfonia from Oberto
Overture from Luisa Miller
Prelude to Act III from Un Ballo in Maschera
Sinfonia from Aroldo
Duet from Il Trovatore
Sinfonia from Les Vêpres Siciliennes
Act III (opening) from La Forza del Destino
“La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto