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Little Rebel

Kate Molleson follows young Verdi, whose ambitions soon outgrow his surroundings.

This week, Kate Molleson explores the rebellious streak that drove Giuseppe Verdi from provincial obscurity to national hero. In today's programme, we meet the young Verdi: a talented organist from the village of Roncole whose ambitions soon outgrew his surroundings. Supported by his mentor Antonio Barezzi, Verdi leaves home, faces rejection from the Milan Conservatoire and begins plotting a future on the operatic stage. Along the way, we discover a young musician already determined to do things his own way.

"Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco
Wiener Staatsopernorchester and Wiener Staatsoper
Lamberto Gardelli, conductor

Romanza senza parole
Roberto Galletto, piano

Messa di Gloria: Gloria, Qui Tollis and Cum Sancto
Coro Sinfonico di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Pater Noster
Coro Sinfonico di Milano Giuseppe Verdi
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: "Oh patria terra, alfine io ti rivedo" and "Fidanzata avventurosa"
Rolando Panerai, baritone
Ghena Dimitrova, soprano
Munich Radio Orchestra and Bavarian Radio Chorus
Lamberto Gardelli, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for 麻豆社 Audio Wales

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Mon 19 Oct 2026 16:00

Broadcast

  • Mon 19 Oct 2026 16:00

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