Verdi territory: Parma and other operatic cities

The area in which Giuseppe Verdi was born and raised and where his talent was first recognized – Roncole di Busseto, Busseto and Parma – have a spirit rich with song and melody. It is a sort of sweet poison that some say comes from the fog and the land and which affects and impassions the people of this region. It is evidenced in certain trattorias, where even today, you will eat and drink accompanied by Verdi’s arias, and in the formation of societies such as the 27 Club, which was created in a bar in 1958 and hosts animated discussions of opera, deriving its name from the number of operas Verdi composed. Verdi was born at home, which was also a tavern run by his father to supplement his work in the fields. A legend holds that while his mother was giving birth to him, a group of performers were playing and singing on the ground floor. And thus his destiny was shaped. Many who visit his birthplace are struck by the...

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