Of course, in Italy Joe Green is known as Giuseppe Verdi.

Opera originated in Florence, Italy, near the end of the 1500's and early 1600's. A group of artists formed an association to develop an art form which would combine all the arts: singing, acting, poetry, painting, music, and dance This group became known as the Camerata. (In the programs for the Manitoba Opera productions, you will see a list of contributors. The major category is called the Camerata in honour of this original company of artists.) The Latin word for "work" is opus. The plural of opus is opera, meaning "works" referring to the idea that an opera is a combination of all art forms.

Opera also became popular in other countries of Europe, such as Germany, France, Russia and England. Each country had its own indigenous opera companies and produced operas in its own language. If an opera were written in Italy and then performed by a French company, the libretto was translated into French. In North America, which did not have indigenous opera companies, complete opera productions were imported and presented in the original languages in which they had been written. That is why in Canada and the USA operas are always presented in the original language. Opera aficionados prefer the original because it is difficult to translate an opera into another language. The meaning can be translated but the words will often have a different number of syllables, making it difficult for the singer to match them to the music.

* * *

The Sindaco (Mayor) of Milan summons Giuseppe Verdi to his office.

"Buon giorno, Signor Verdi."

"Please, Signor Sindaco, we have known each other for a very long time. Call me Giuseppe."

"You are so right., We have known each other ever since you came to Milan to study composition. You were only eighteen."

'Yes, that is a very long time ago."

"Giuseppe, that is exactly why I have called you in today. Last year the Senate in Rome passed a law stipulating that everyone, upon reaching their 65th birthday, must retire. Since today is your 65th birthday, I have called you in to be sure you are aware of the new law."

"Signor Sindaco, if I retire now, there may be serious international repercussions."

"Really? How could that be possible?"

"Last year I accepted a commission from Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, to compose an opera to commemorate the opening of the Suez Canal. If I default on this contract, I am afraid relations between our two countries would become very strained. They may even break off diplomatic relations."

"That is indeed a serious matter. Since you have already started the opera, we could make an exception and allow you to finish the score."

Thank you, Signor Sindaco. But as you know, I often work on several projects at the same time. I am working on an opera based on a play by Shakespeare called Otello. (Of course in England, Otello is known as Othello.) My librettist, Arrigo Boito, is not 65 so it would not be fair to him for me to retire and leave the work unfinished."

"Giuseppe, you are absolutely right. Finish that opera also."

"I am also writing another opera with Arrigo called Falstaff. This is my first comedy."

"Very well, include that one also."

* * *

Falstaff was the last opera composed by Verdi. It was premiered in Milan in 1893 when Verdi was — 80!

Incidentally, the opera Verdi wrote for the opening of the Suez Canal was Aida. The Metropolitan Opera Company has performed this opera 591 times; the most frequently performed opera at the Met. The role of Radames has been performed by every great tenor. In modern times, this role is often sung by the world's foremost operatic performer, Peaceful Sunday. Of course, in Italy the great tenor, Peaceful Sunday, is known as Placido Domingo.