Giuseppe Verdi
We know Victor Borge’s favorite joke, “Joe Green”!It does light a smile. But we should be careful.To an Italian his name is important,More important than many realize.The smile should be the “Smile, when you say that.”Otherwise offense is given and taken.A name isn’t just a handle, it’s a door.
Mr. Green, Signor Verdi, wrote musicFor the human voice — sublimest instrument —Rarely equaled, even more rarely surpassed.Any list of maestri includes him.Any that doesn’t must be prejudiced.Cosima Wagner would not tolerateHis name in her presence. Do you hear that?
I have sung a few of his ariasEven though they’re beyond my talents(And I have no gift). I sing Germont’s pleaTo his wayward son several times a week.I’ve also sung “Va, pensiero” at timesTill the tears rolled down my cheeks, the chorusOf the Hebrew slaves (also Italy’s people,
Everyone knew, longing for their freedom, too).An elder man, now, I can see the future,And Signor Verdi, “old Joe Green,” lifts meWhere I hear Falstaff laugh and Iago snarl,“Credo in un Dio crudel,” and my heartRejoices two great voices helped me hear,Shakespeare’s through Verdi’s, the end of cruelty.
Mr. Green, Signor Verdi, wrote musicFor the human voice — sublimest instrument —Rarely equaled, even more rarely surpassed.Any list of maestri includes him.Any that doesn’t must be prejudiced.Cosima Wagner would not tolerateHis name in her presence. Do you hear that?
I have sung a few of his ariasEven though they’re beyond my talents(And I have no gift). I sing Germont’s pleaTo his wayward son several times a week.I’ve also sung “Va, pensiero” at timesTill the tears rolled down my cheeks, the chorusOf the Hebrew slaves (also Italy’s people,
Everyone knew, longing for their freedom, too).An elder man, now, I can see the future,And Signor Verdi, “old Joe Green,” lifts meWhere I hear Falstaff laugh and Iago snarl,“Credo in un Dio crudel,” and my heartRejoices two great voices helped me hear,Shakespeare’s through Verdi’s, the end of cruelty.
