CHAPTER I

BIRTH, PARENTAGE, AND CHILD-LIFE

Verdi's birth and birth-place--Dispute as to his township--Baptismal certificate--His parentage--The parents' circumstances--The _osteria_ kept by them--A regular market-man--A mixed business--Verdi's early surroundings and influences--Verdi not a musical wonder or show-child--His natural child-life--Enchanted with street organ--Quiet manner as a child--Acolyte at Roncole Church--Enraptured with the organ music--Is bought a spinet--Practises incessantly--Gratuitous spinet repairs--To school at Busseto--Slender board and curriculum--First musical instruction--An apt pupil 1