STORIES

In Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, the famous aria “Sempre libera” may, at first glance, seem like a manifesto of joy and freedom. Yet beneath its glittering music lies a masterfully concealed escape.

Few composers have explored the most chaotic conflicts of the human soul as powerfully as Giuseppe Verdi. Rigoletto, which premiered on March 11, 1851, at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, is not merely a story about court intrigues. It is also a musical meditation on one of humanity’s deepest struggles: the clash between revenge and forgiveness.

According to the eminent opera critic Joseph Gregor, Friedrich Schiller’s extraordinary ability to express deep emotions and intense passions resonates most strongly with Giuseppe Verdi’s musical language. In terms of emotion and fervor, Schiller is closer to Verdi than any other poet. The artistic connection between Schiller and Verdi represents an exceptional synthesis, serving as a valuable source of inspiration.