A First Book of Verdi: For The Beginning Pianist With Downloadable MP3s

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi dominated the opera world for most of the nineteenth century, and his works remain a mainstay of theaters around the world. From Rigoletto's sprightly "La donna é mobile" to the rousing "Anvil Chorus" of Il Trovatore, the composer's music is known and loved by people who never set foot in an opera house. Now novice keyboardists of all ages can play selections from Verdi's most popular works with these special arrangements of 32 pieces.

Highlights include the charming aria "Heavenly Aida" from the opera set in Egypt during the reign of the pharaohs; Nabucco's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves," also known as "Va, pensiero" ("Hasten, Thoughts"); the Prelude to Act III of La Traviata; the opening of Requiem, Verdi's setting of the Catholic Mass for the Dead; plus selections from Macbeth, Otello, Jerusalem, and other operas. Each selection features a brief introduction, and all the compositions are available as downloadable MP3s.