Giuseppe Verdi

A genius of Grand Opera. An Italian composer born in 1813, he started his music studies in Milan in 1832 thanks to Antonio Barezzi, a business man (and music fan) in Busseto, Verdi's hometown in Parma.

He wrote his first opera Rocester (now lost) when he was 23, and his last Falstaff in 1893 at the age of 80 !!

Apart from these he wrote another 27 operas, most of which are performed still, every year and around the world (Il Trovatore, La Traviata, Un ballo in maschera, La Forza del destino).

It is indeed easier to pick the less pleasing of these than to pick the best, as they are all so rich in memorable and very popular Arias, Duets and Chorus pieces. Vivid characters and lively music have made Rigoletto a long-time favorite of both performers and audiences, second only to Aida among Verdi's works.

Source: Opera Goodies Website