Giuseppe Verdi's career forms one of the loveliest arcs in musical history. The passion of his works resonates universally while the sophistication of his middle and late operas satisfies demanding ears and tastes. In EVerdi: The Operas and Choral WorksE Victor Lederer surveys every one of the master's 28 operas and his greatest choral pieces showing Verdi's growth as a musical dramatist a he would revolutionize the hidebound conventions of 19th-century Italian opera a and his single-minded pursuit of dramatic truth.THAfter describing the chaotic milieu in which Verdi learned his craft the book provides act-by-act analyses of the early masterpieces ENabuccoE EErnaniE and EMacbethE. The neglected operas from the composer's self-described years in the galleys are covered together. Lederer then takes readers through the magnificent sequence of Verdi operas from ELuisa MillerE onward including the fine but underrated EStiffelioE. Each of the late operas a EDon CarloE EAidaE and EOtelloE and EFalstaffE the twin Shakespearean masterworks that crown Verdi's oeuvre a is discussed at length in its own chapter. Lederer also examines Verdi's monumental Requiem along with the choral EQuattro pezzi sacriE Verdi's sublime final achievement. The book comes with a Naxos CD of musical selections representing highlights from throughout Verdi's long remarkable career.