"Giuseppe Verdi, the titan of Italian opera, was very much a man of his times, and an understanding of them is essential to a full appreciation of his masterpieces. Both his music and life were part of the Risorgimento, the movement that established Italian unity and independence. He represented his district in assemblies, ran for office, and served in the first parliament of the Italian kingdom. With such operas as Aida, La Traviata and Rigoletto,...