Giuseppe Verdi

Italian Composer.

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. Musically, he was part of European Romanticism, and was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long since taken root in popular culture – such as "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata and the "Grand March" from Aida.

Verdi’s masterworks dominate the standard opera repertoire a century and a half after their composition.

He was an agnostic. Toscanini, in a taped interview, described him as "an atheist", but "agnostic" is probably the most accurate description. His second wife, Giuseppina Strepponi, described him as "a man of little faith".

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Sources:

1.) Dan Barker, The Good Atheist - Living a Purpose-Filled Life Without God, p.93

2.) Tintori, Giampiero, Guida all'ascolto di Giuseppe Verdi, Milano: Mursia, p.232, 1983.