Tomislav Breitenfeld

Vida Demarin

English

Hrčak - Portal of scientific journals of Croatia

Acta clin Croat 2001; 40:323-324 Conference Paper323Correspondence to: Tomislav Breitenfeld, M.D., University Depart-ment of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital, Zagreb,CroatiaReceived November 12, 2001, accepted December 3, 2001* Part of this paper was presented at XVIIth World Congress of Ne-urology, London, June 17-22, 2001A PATHOGRAPHY ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARYOF HIS DEATH: GIUSEPPE VERDI DIED FROM STROKE*Tomislav Breitenfeld and Vida DemarinUniversity Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital, Zagreb, CroatiaKey words: Famous persons; Music history; History of medicine, 19th century; Cause of deathThis year, the whole world is celebrating the musicalgenius of Giuseppe Verdi, probably the greatest operacomposer in the history of music.Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 to a country inn-keeper, by coincidence in the very same year as RichardWagner, the greatest German opera composer. His fatherwas not able to provide Verdi the education he aspired for.So he turned to his benefactor Barezzi, who had greatunderstanding for his musical talent. Verdi marriedMargherita, Barezzi’s daughter. Margherita later diedfrom meningitis and both their children died from infan-tile enteric diseases typical for the time, which Verdi tookto his heart very much.Local organist Cavaletti gave him his first instrument,a small spinet which was renovated especially for him.Slowly he realized that his native town, Busetto, inhib-ited him, so he moved to Milan where he was not admit-ted to the conservatory.His first opera ÃObertoÅ was performed in 1839, whenhe was 26 years old, and his first real success was ÃNabuccoÅin 1842, which made him a favorite of the whole Italy. Verdipreferred secluded rather than pompous life, as he neededpeace and quiet for his creativity. He settled down in thebeautiful place of Sant’Agata. There he stayed for almosthalf of his life with his friend and wife-to-be, GiuseppinaStreponi. In 1847, he composed ÃMacbethÅ. Around 1850,his three romantic masterpieces, ÃRigolettoÅ, ÃIl TrovatoreÅand ÃLa TraviattaÅ, were performed. They finally broughthim lasting international recognition of his work, follow-ing his first national success. Later operas were not sosuccesful, still including ÃDon CarlosÅ and ÃMasqueradeÅ.Nearing his sixties, Verdi gave the world his masterpieceÃAidaÅ, a spectacular opera including many of his most lyricinspirations. In 1874, after the death of the writer Manzoni,whom Verdi deeply respected, he composed one of his rarenonopera works, ÃRequiemÅ. When after ÃAidaÅ his workseemed to be completed, he started to cooperate withformer Wagner’s follower Boito, who was an excellent li-brettist and composer himself. So he got two outstandinglibrettos and composed his final pearls, ÃOthelloÅ at the ageof 75, and finally ÃFalstaffÅ at the age of 80. He spent hiseighties all alone after death of his wife.Giuseppe Verdi was rather introverted but it only cov-ered his real ambitions and self-esteem. He was a ratheruncoventional, independent and quarrelsome person, oftenfull of rage. He had a strong character but also frequentnoncreative periods. As a person, he was mostly healthy andcalm, somewhat depressive. He was of asthenic and thinappearance, and pox-marked · the reason why he alwayshad his beard. During his life, he had few long periods ofheadache and frequently sore throat. He suffered from ner-vous gastric troubles and rheumatic pains, which worsenedwith time in his limbs and spine. In 1877, he asked formedical help in Monte Carlo because of chronic bronchi-tis. He started to have frequent short episodes of dizziness.Just before he performed ÃFalstaffÅ, he almost died frominfluenza. After his second wife had died, he was desper-ately lonely, spending most of the time in spa. He did someT. Breitenfeld and V. Demarin Giuseppe Veidi Died from Stroke324 Acta clin Croat, Vol. 40, No. 4, 2001caritative work helping the hospital in Villanova and Casadi Riposto, a nursing home for retired musicians in Milan.He moved from Sant’Agata to a hotel in Milan, a palacein Genoa, a rest home in Monte Catini, and backwards.During his last months, he was weak, alone, and sad.By the end of January 1901, while he was feeling rela-tively well, his maid found him unconscious. He had rightextremities paralyzed and when he regained conscious-ness, he had global aphasia. Despite all help he got fromphysicians of Milan and Florence, they could not preventhis death one week later · it was a massive stroke in theleft hemisphere. This severe stroke came as a relief aftera series of prior minor strokes or transient ischemic at-tacks. It took Verdi, who had already been long gone as acreator, ending his life in his 88th year.References1. KERNER D. Krankheiten grosser Musiker. Stuttgart, New York:FK Schattauer Verlag, 1969.2. BRAUN A. Krankheit und Tod im Schicksal bedeutenderMenschen. Stuttgart: Breitkopf, 1940.3. MONALDI G. Giuseppe Verdi. Stuttgart, Leipzig: Peters, 1898.4. LANGE-EICHBAUM W, KURTH W. Genie, Irrsinn undRuhm. München, Basel: Haertel, 1967.5. PHILLIPS-MATZ MJ. Verdi, a biography. Oxford: Oxford Uni-versity Press, 1993.6. ROSSELLI J. The life of Verdi. Cambridge: Cambridge Univer-sity Press, 2000.7. TOYE F. Giuseppe Verdi: his life and works. Heinemann, 1931;Vienna House, 1972; Horizon Press, 1983.8. SADIE S, ed. The Grove concise dictionary of music. London:Maximilian Press Ltd., 1972.

A Pathography on the 100th Anniversary of his Death: Giuseppe Verdi Died from Stroke

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Hrčak - Portal of scientific journals of Croatia