Verdi’s energies have not been confined to music.  An ardent patriot, he has displayed the deepest interest in the affairs of his country, and taken an active part in its tangled politics.  After the war of 1859 he was chosen a member of the Assembly of Parma, and was one of the most influential advocates for the annexation to Sardinia.  Italian unity found in him a passionate advocate, and, when the occasion came, his artistic talent and earnestness proved that they might have made a vigorous mark in political oratory as well as in music.

The cry of “Viva Verdi” often resounded through Sardinia and Italy, and it was one of the war-slogans of the Italian war of liberation.  This enigma is explained in the fact that the five letters of his name are the initials of those of Vittorio Emanuele Re D’Italia.  His private resources were liberally poured forth to help the national cause, and in 1861 he was chosen a deputy in Parliament from Parma.  Ten years later he was appointed by the Minister of Public Instruction to superintend the reorganization of the National Musical Institute.

The many decorations and titular distinctions lavished on him show the high esteem in which he is held.  He is a member of the Legion of Honor, corresponding member of the French Academy of Fine Arts, grand cross of the Prussian order of St. Stanislaus, of the order of the Crown of Italy, and of the Egyptian order of Osmanli.  He divides his life between a beautiful residence at Genoa, where he overlooks the waters of the sparkling Mediterranean, and a country villa near his native Busseto, a house of quaint artistic architecture, approached by a venerable, moss-grown stone bridge, at the foot of which are a large park and artificial lake.  When he takes his evening walks, the peasantry, who are devotedly attached to him, unite in singing choruses from his operas.

In Verdi’s bedroom, where alone he composes, is a fine piano—­of which instrument, as well as of the violin, he is a master—­a modest library, and an oddly-shaped writing-desk.  Pictures and statuettes, of which he is very fond, are thickly strewn about the whole house.  Verdi is a man of vigor’ ous and active habits, taking an ardent interest in agriculture.  But the larger part of his time is taken up in composing, writing letters, and reading works on philosophy, politics, and history.  His personal appearance is very distinguished.  A tall figure with sturdy limbs and square shoulders, surmounted by a finely-shaped head; abundant hair, beard, and mustache, whose black is sprinkled with gray; dark-gray eyes, regular features, and an earnest, sometimes intense, expression make him a noticeable-looking man.  Much sought after in the brilliant society of Florence, Rome, and Paris, our composer spends most of his time in the elegant seclusion of home.

III.

Verdi is the most nervous, theatric, sensuous composer of the present century.  Measured by the highest standard, his style must be criticised as often spasmodic, tawdry, and meretricious.  He instinctively adopts a bold and eccentric treatment of musical themes; and, though there are always to be found stirring movements in his scores as well as in his opera stories, he constantly offends refined taste by sensation and violence.