GIUSEPPE VERDI

Through care taken over trends, the desire to be novel and affectation knowledge, we repudiate our art, our instinct, our own way of doing things; it is absurd and stupid

Stupid criticism and still more stupid praise.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

Oh, you happy sons of the North who have been reared at the bosom of Bach, how I envy you!

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

I deny that either singers or conductors can "create" or work creatively - this, as I have always said, is a conception that leads to the abyss.

The success of our operas rests most of the time in the hands of the conductor. This person is as necessary as a tenor or a prima donna.

To copy the truth can be a good thing, but to invent the truth is better, much better.

I order that my funeral ceremonies be extremely modest, and that they take place at dawn or at the evening Ave Maria, without song or music.

I adore art... when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear.

You may have the universe if I may have Italy.

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration... I should compose with utter confidence a subject that set my musical blood going, even though it were condemned by all other artists as anti-musical.

I order that my funeral ceremonies be extremely modest, and that they take place at dawn or at the evening Ave Maria, without song or music.

The success of our operas rests most of the time in the hands of the conductor. This person is as necessary as a tenor or a prima donna.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

I deny that either singers or conductors can "create" or work creatively - this, as I have always said, is a conception that leads to the abyss.

Stupid criticism and still more stupid praise.

Through care taken over trends, the desire to be novel and affectation knowledge, we repudiate our art, our instinct, our own way of doing things; it is absurd and stupid

A man like Verdi must write like Verdi.

Oh blessed a thousand times the peasant who is born, eats and dies without anybody bothering about his affairs.

Oh, you happy sons of the North who have been reared at the bosom of Bach, how I envy you!

To copy the truth can be a good thing, but to invent the truth is better, much better.