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Verdi: A Biography
Drawing on numerous original documents provided by Verdi's descendants, the Carrara-Verdi family, this long awaited biography presents a reexamination of Verdi's life not only as a composer, but as a philanthropist and son of Italy. Matz places Verdi against a backdrop of a century of fierce
Italian nationalism that dictated that not only musical, but political considerations permeate his life and work. Here too is a glimpse into the composer's personal life--his turbulent relationships with his friends and family, his dedication to his music, his passion for his country.
Upon his death in 1901 there were scenes of national mourning for the man whose actions had become a model, and music an inspiration to all of Italy. With an eloquent foreword by Andrew Porter, A Biography brilliantly illuminates the life of the composer, patriot, and philanthropist who
not only created the operas that would prosper generations after the artist, but who also emboldened the cultural pride of a country fighting for its freedom.
Italian nationalism that dictated that not only musical, but political considerations permeate his life and work. Here too is a glimpse into the composer's personal life--his turbulent relationships with his friends and family, his dedication to his music, his passion for his country.
Upon his death in 1901 there were scenes of national mourning for the man whose actions had become a model, and music an inspiration to all of Italy. With an eloquent foreword by Andrew Porter, A Biography brilliantly illuminates the life of the composer, patriot, and philanthropist who
not only created the operas that would prosper generations after the artist, but who also emboldened the cultural pride of a country fighting for its freedom.
972 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 1993
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About the author
Mary Jane Phillips-Matz
14 books2 followersMary Jane Phillips-Matz was an American biographer and writer on opera. She is mainly known for her biography of Giuseppe Verdi, a result of 30 years' research and published in 1992 by Oxford University Press. Educated at Smith College and Columbia University, she lived for many years in Italy, and even after her return to the United States in the early 1970s spent her summers in Verdi's hometown of Busseto where she continued her exhaustive research into his life.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 2, 2016
Much as I hated this book, it certainly has some very strong points and is a title that is truly consistent with the high quality that one expects from Oxford University Press.
On page 3 of her preface, author Mary Jam Phillips-Matz baldly states: "In this biography, I have not tried to provide any musical examples or analysis because Julian Budden's thee-volume The Operas of Verdi answers almost every question that one might ask about them." What Ms. Phillips-Matz delivers then is a one thousand page book about Verdi in which there is no discussion about either music or opera. I was both amazed by the rigour without which she makes good on her promise and profoundly irritated by the fact that I was getting simply the facts about the man without any insight into what was the nature of his genius.
For every opera, Ms. Phillips-Matz carefully explains when the libretto was written, when the music was composed, how Verdi negotiated with the opera house with the respect to the choice of singers and how successful the production was from the point-of-view of the box office. She cites favourable and unfavourable views to illustrate the reaction to the works without every indicating which ones she agrees with and which ones she disagrees with. She never at any point discusses or judges the actual compositions. The reader frequently has to turn back several pages in order to see if the author is writing about Aida or Un ballo in maschera.
Phillips-Matz often portrays Verdi very harshly. She brings to the fore the most sordid aspects of his love life and reveals numerous instants where he acts with vindictively with his professional collaborators.
Where the book shines is how it describes life on the Italian peninsula during the era of the Risorgimento and Verdi's role in the Unification of Italy. Readers who are interested in history rather than opera will find this book highly rewarding. Phillips-Matz describes Verdi growing up in strongly Catholic family but then joining a Philharmonic Society with a strongly liberal leanings. Due to his political leanings, the Roman Catholic Church ensured that he was refused employment in several places. Verdi reacted by becoming even more Liberal and more committed to the anti-clerical Risorgimento movement. Verdi made financial contributions to arm the independence fighters and once the independence was won, he accepted political office in order to add the prestige of his name to the new liberal Kingdom of Italy.
Phillips-Matz has written a book that helps the reader understand an important era in European history. However, if you are hoping for a pleasant book about a great composer, you will be very disappointed by this lengthy and joyless story of the life of a frequently, dislikable person.
On page 3 of her preface, author Mary Jam Phillips-Matz baldly states: "In this biography, I have not tried to provide any musical examples or analysis because Julian Budden's thee-volume The Operas of Verdi answers almost every question that one might ask about them." What Ms. Phillips-Matz delivers then is a one thousand page book about Verdi in which there is no discussion about either music or opera. I was both amazed by the rigour without which she makes good on her promise and profoundly irritated by the fact that I was getting simply the facts about the man without any insight into what was the nature of his genius.
For every opera, Ms. Phillips-Matz carefully explains when the libretto was written, when the music was composed, how Verdi negotiated with the opera house with the respect to the choice of singers and how successful the production was from the point-of-view of the box office. She cites favourable and unfavourable views to illustrate the reaction to the works without every indicating which ones she agrees with and which ones she disagrees with. She never at any point discusses or judges the actual compositions. The reader frequently has to turn back several pages in order to see if the author is writing about Aida or Un ballo in maschera.
Phillips-Matz often portrays Verdi very harshly. She brings to the fore the most sordid aspects of his love life and reveals numerous instants where he acts with vindictively with his professional collaborators.
Where the book shines is how it describes life on the Italian peninsula during the era of the Risorgimento and Verdi's role in the Unification of Italy. Readers who are interested in history rather than opera will find this book highly rewarding. Phillips-Matz describes Verdi growing up in strongly Catholic family but then joining a Philharmonic Society with a strongly liberal leanings. Due to his political leanings, the Roman Catholic Church ensured that he was refused employment in several places. Verdi reacted by becoming even more Liberal and more committed to the anti-clerical Risorgimento movement. Verdi made financial contributions to arm the independence fighters and once the independence was won, he accepted political office in order to add the prestige of his name to the new liberal Kingdom of Italy.
Phillips-Matz has written a book that helps the reader understand an important era in European history. However, if you are hoping for a pleasant book about a great composer, you will be very disappointed by this lengthy and joyless story of the life of a frequently, dislikable person.
July 30, 2015
The book was a tough read due,I think, to the author's stilted writing style. However, if you can stay with the almost eight hundred pages you will have a pretty complete picture of a man for all reasons. Matz doesn't go into the relationship of Verdi and his mistress/wife quite enough as if she fears to taint the picture she is creating of the Master. Prepare for a lengthy session with this one. Have other books to go to when you feel that you need a rest. You'll need them.
November 18, 2025
Magisterial bio
May 31, 2015
I was totally engrossed in this mammoth book. As I was reading it, I realized that I very rarely read non-fiction biographies. I started this one in 2013 as a nod to the great Verdi's 200th birthday. I found it extraordinarily readable and I realized that it reminded me of Richard Ellman's legendary biography of James Joyce. Anyone who has read that work knows what a biography could and should be.
Reading the Matz Verdi biography, of course we get to know Verdi, his friends, family, colleagues and fellow artists. We also get a thorough, engaging survey of 19th Century Italian history from before and after the Risorgimento as well as a history of the world of 19th Century opera all over France and Italy. This was of great appeal to the opera geek in me.
I started this book in February 2013 and, after putting it down for long stretched, I am finishing it a little over two years.
I can honestly say that I am going to miss spending time with Verdi and his world.
I recommend this book highly.
Reading the Matz Verdi biography, of course we get to know Verdi, his friends, family, colleagues and fellow artists. We also get a thorough, engaging survey of 19th Century Italian history from before and after the Risorgimento as well as a history of the world of 19th Century opera all over France and Italy. This was of great appeal to the opera geek in me.
I started this book in February 2013 and, after putting it down for long stretched, I am finishing it a little over two years.
I can honestly say that I am going to miss spending time with Verdi and his world.
I recommend this book highly.
April 24, 2008
Wow! When you realize that this woman moved to various places in Italy to do research to write this book, the amount of detail is overwhelming. Although you get a feel for the man and the time in which he lived....his passion for his music didn't come through as much as I had hoped. Nonetheless, I know alot more about Joe Green than I did before I read this book!
February 28, 2012
The size is very daunting and I was worried it would read like a textbook, but it doesn't. It's very thorough and practically is year by year of his life. Loved the excerpts from his letters. Really really well documented biography.
October 2, 2013
If you want to know about Verdi as a person, the life he lead, his process of composing this is the book. Amazing detail and research. If you want more specifics about the operas, try another book where they are well covered.
December 11, 2008
This is the definitive biography on the life and work of Italy's greatest opera composer, a legend in his own time and for the ages.
August 4, 2010
This a the one great monumental biography in English.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews