CHAPTER VI

_RIGOLETTO_ TO _AÏDA_--SECOND PERIOD OPERAS

Turning-point in Verdi's career--The libretto of _Rigoletto_--Production of _Rigoletto_ in Venice, London, and Paris--Great success of the opera--_Athenæum_ and _The Times_ on _Rigoletto_--"_La Donna è mobile_"--A second period style--_Il Trovatore_ written for Rome--The libretto--Its reception at the Apollo Theatre--The work produced at the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden--Its cast, and Graziani's singing therein--Lightning study of the _Azucena rôle_--_Athenæum_ and _The Times_ on _Il Trovatore_--_La Traviata_--The libretto and argument--The first performance at Venice a _fiasco_--Judgment reversed--Brilliant success of the opera in London--Piccolomini's impersonation of Violetta--Mr. Lumley's testimony--The Press and _La Traviata_--_Athenæum_ and _The Times_ criticism of _La Traviata_--_Les Vêpres Siciliennes_--_Prima donna_ runs away--Reception of the opera in Paris and London--Verdi in Germany--_The Times_ criticism--_Simon Boccanegra_ a failure--_Un Ballo in Maschera_--Trouble with the authorities--Production and success of _Un Ballo in Maschera_--Its reception in London--_The Times_ on the opera--_La Forza del Destino_ unsuccessful 104