Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi (9 or 10 October 1813 – 27 January 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer primarily known for his operas.
He is considered, with Richard Wagner, the preëminent opera composer of the 19th century. Verdi dominated the Italian opera scene after the eras of Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long since taken root in popular culture, examples being "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, the "Coro di zingari" (Anvil Chorus) from Il trovatore and the "Grand March" from Aida.
== Tossup Questions ==
# In one of this composer's operas, the protagonist sings of saving his mother from burning at the stake in "Di quella pira." The drinking song "Libiamo ne' leiti calici" is sung in another of this composer's operas, which is about the relationship between Alfredo and the title woman. Highlights from his operas include the "Anvil Chorus" and a "Triumphal March" from an opera in which Radames is condemned to be buried alive, but not before falling in love with the title Ethiopian princess. For 10 points, name this composer of Il Trovatore, La Traviata, and Aida.
# In one opera by this composer set in Stockholm, the fortune-teller Ulrica prophesizes that Riccardo will be killed by the next man who shakes his hand. This composer of A Masked Ball included "Va, pensiero," or the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, in an opera which details the exile of the Jews from Babylon, Nabucco. In addition to the drinking song "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" in an opera about Alfredo and Violetta, this composer wrote an opera which sees the Duke of Mantua sing "La donna è mobile" and another opera about an Egyptian princess. For 10 points, name this Italian composer of Rigoletto, La traviata, and Aïda.
# In one of this man's operas, the daughter of the Marquis of Calatrava, Leonora, loves Don Alvaro; that opera's overture opens with 3 brass unison E's. The protagonist of one of his operas sings "Ritorna vincitor." In another opera by this composer, the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves" is sung before the Babylonian king prays to God. This composer of La Forza Del Destino and Nabucco also wrote the aria "Libiamo ne lieti calici," a drinking song, in an opera in about Violetta, a "fallen woman." This composer is best-known for a work that ends when an Ethiopian princess is buried alive with her love Radamès. For 10 points, name this composer of La Traviata and Aida.