GIUSEPPE VERDI Giuseppe Verdi (1813 – 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of Italian opera and his works are frequently performed transcending the boundaries of the genre. He is best known for "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, and "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata.