The Composer of Travatore.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3055, 16 November 1888, Page 2

The Composer of Travatore.

Oiusoppo Verdi, tlieponularltalian opera composer, who is within it few weoks of completing Lis seventy-fourth year, and who now follows farming , and agricultural pursuits, as a pas., time with as muoh vigor as, a fern ■'■ years back, he bestowed on mußicflr composition, was, it is not generally • known, an organist at air early age. ' When only twelve lie did duty as such at the Clniroh of Roncole, his nativo village, at the same time studying ; harmony; iludor I ißaistraochi. Li Three years later, Verdi officiated 1 as organist at the great church of Bussotto. His salary was only thirty-six lire.a,year. . Afterwards - Verdi added tbe work of choirmaster " to that of organist. Soon after, his marriage, when about twenty-five, lie- i commenced to compose for the stage, and then it was that his oareev as - a humble'', ohuroli onanist ended, for he very Boon fo.und himself a famous opera writer. A capital story, is told by a German newspaper illustratiug Verdi's eccentricity of mamier. A short time ago he was visited by a frieud in a small bathing plage, whither he had gone to recuperato himself, right away from the scene of his musical labors. The visitor found Verdi quartered in a very smalftfoom which evidently served at onco as dining room and bedroom, WhefP, surprise was expressed, tho venerable*' coinposev bvoke in:" Uli, I lmvo two other largeiv rooms,, but. I - keep tho articles ]iired by me in tlicm." Saying this,. Verdi rose from his seat, opened a door and showed his aston- ' ished visitor ninety-five barrel organs • remarking! (i When I came.hero all ■ theso organs played " liigoletto," ''\ "Trovatore," and similar stuff.' have hired them from tho owners,.V I have paid about 1,500 lire; but ' now 1 can enjoy my summer rent without being disturbed."