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Discover the remarkable life and musical achievements of Giuseppe Verdi, whose operas helped shape the course of 19th‑century music and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. This course explores Verdi’s artistic development—from his early works and mid‑career masterpieces to the visionary operas of his final years. Along the way, we will consider his role in Italian cultural life, the political backdrop of the Risorgimento, and the enduring influence of his dramatic and lyrical style on the operatic tradition.
What will we cover?
- Verdi’s biography: formative years, personal milestones, and his place within 19th‑century Italian society - Early works and breakthrough successes, including Nabucco and the rise of Verdi’s reputation - Major middle‑period operas (Rigoletto, Il trovatore, La traviata) and their innovations - Late style and mature masterpieces: Aida, Otello, Falstaff - Verdi’s collaborations with librettists, evolving musical language, and dramatic techniques - The cultural and political context of the Italian Risorgimento and Verdi’s symbolic status within it
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Appreciate Verdi’s artistic evolution across his long career - Identify key features of Verdi’s operatic style, including his approach to melody, drama, and orchestration - Recognise the social, political, and cultural influences that shaped his music - Discuss the significance of Verdi’s works within the broader history of Western opera
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is an in-depth topic: it assumes a broad familiarity in listening to this genre of music. There may be a focus on lecture style classes and specialist musical terminology, as well as homework tasks and /or reading lists for future reference.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes. You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes please visit Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Pauline Greene studied composition at Nottingham University and then composed, performed and was Musical Director with various theatre companies. She taught flute and composition, performing her music across the UK at various venues, including the Southbank Centre and the Edinburgh Festival, with her group The Concert Party, which she managed and directed. She has taught at the Universities of Middlesex and Hertfordshire, and ran the Music Access course at Morley College. She taught at Birkbeck from 1984-2023, moving from Music to Arts Management, and currently lectures on the MA in Events and Experience Management at Goldsmiths. She has given talks at the Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall and Glyndebourne. At City Lit Pauline teaches a wide range of music history courses, with specialisms in opera, music for dance, theatre and film, musical analysis, and music since 1900. She is still involved in the organisation of small-scale charity concerts and one-off musical events, and she sings and plays with several small groups.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-verdi3034504Exploring Verdihttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_verdi_-md038b-1080.jpg279279GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Immerse yourself in the world of one of Italy’s greatest opera composers. <strong>NB: Scheduled break week 16 Feb 2027.</strong></p>003034348Exploring Verdi279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_verdi_-md038b-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Performing artsMD038B279279Exploring Verdi223195279Pauline Greeneexploring-verdi/md038b-2627<p>Immerse yourself in the world of one of Italy’s greatest opera composers. <strong>NB: Scheduled break week 16 Feb 2027.</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>Discover the remarkable life and musical achievements of Giuseppe Verdi, whose operas helped shape the course of 19th‑century music and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. This course explores Verdi’s artistic development—from his early works and mid‑career masterpieces to the visionary operas of his final years. Along the way, we will consider his role in Italian cultural life, the political backdrop of the Risorgimento, and the enduring influence of his dramatic and lyrical style on the operatic tradition.</p><p>Immerse yourself in the world of one of Italy’s greatest opera composers. <strong>NB: Scheduled break week 16 Feb 2027.</strong></p><p>- Verdi’s biography: formative years, personal milestones, and his place within 19th‑century Italian society<br>- Early works and breakthrough successes, including Nabucco and the rise of Verdi’s reputation<br>- Major middle‑period operas (Rigoletto, Il trovatore, La traviata) and their innovations<br>- Late style and mature masterpieces: Aida, Otello, Falstaff<br>- Verdi’s collaborations with librettists, evolving musical language, and dramatic techniques<br>- The cultural and political context of the Italian Risorgimento and Verdi’s symbolic status within it</p><p>- Appreciate Verdi’s artistic evolution across his long career<br>- Identify key features of Verdi’s operatic style, including his approach to melody, drama, and orchestration<br>- Recognise the social, political, and cultural influences that shaped his music<br>- Discuss the significance of Verdi’s works within the broader history of Western opera</p>This course is an in-depth topic: it assumes a broad familiarity in listening to this genre of music. There may be a focus on lecture style classes and specialist musical terminology, as well as homework tasks and /or reading lists for future reference.Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.<br>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.<p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual223279195MD038BNONETue12/01/27 - 16/03/2713:30 - 15:3013:3015:309 sessions (over 10 weeks)95-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetPauline GreeneBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-12T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Performing arts279279Exploring Verdiexploring-verdi/md038b-2627<p>Immerse yourself in the world of one of Italy’s greatest opera composers. <strong>NB: Scheduled break week 16 Feb 2027.</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-01-12 00:00:00<p>Discover the remarkable life and musical achievements of Giuseppe Verdi, whose operas helped shape the course of 19th‑century music and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. This course explores Verdi’s artistic development—from his early works and mid‑career masterpieces to the visionary operas of his final years. Along the way, we will consider his role in Italian cultural life, the political backdrop of the Risorgimento, and the enduring influence of his dramatic and lyrical style on the operatic tradition.</p><p>Immerse yourself in the world of one of Italy’s greatest opera composers. <strong>NB: Scheduled break week 16 Feb 2027.</strong></p><p>- Verdi’s biography: formative years, personal milestones, and his place within 19th‑century Italian society<br>- Early works and breakthrough successes, including Nabucco and the rise of Verdi’s reputation<br>- Major middle‑period operas (Rigoletto, Il trovatore, La traviata) and their innovations<br>- Late style and mature masterpieces: Aida, Otello, Falstaff<br>- Verdi’s collaborations with librettists, evolving musical language, and dramatic techniques<br>- The cultural and political context of the Italian Risorgimento and Verdi’s symbolic status within it</p><p>- Appreciate Verdi’s artistic evolution across his long career<br>- Identify key features of Verdi’s operatic style, including his approach to melody, drama, and orchestration<br>- Recognise the social, political, and cultural influences that shaped his music<br>- Discuss the significance of Verdi’s works within the broader history of Western opera</p>This course is an in-depth topic: it assumes a broad familiarity in listening to this genre of music. There may be a focus on lecture style classes and specialist musical terminology, as well as homework tasks and /or reading lists for future reference.Tutor presentation, guided listening, class discussion and debate, video and score study.<br>Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom: handouts, scores, links to online audio and video, recommendations to encourage and support further reading and listening outside class.Please bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes.<br>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.<p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
