False cheers – Giuseppe Verdi

Although he gained fame during his lifetime, Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was not completely convinced that his entire work will survive the course of history, so he burned some of his early compositions.

In addition, when Italian patriots cheered “Verdi! Verdi!“ after he performed some opera, he usually refused to bow. Why?

- I know that they don't cheer for me, but for someone else to whom they do not dare in public! - Giuseppe Verdi used to say.

His surname was an acronym within the Risorgimento (Italian unification).  Verdi stood for Vittorio Emanuele Re D'Italia, Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy.