Verdi: Man and Musician His Biography with Especial Reference to His English Experiences
CHAPTER IX
POLITICIAN AND CITIZEN
A born politician--Attempt to draw Verdi--The revolutionary ring of Verdi's music--Signor Basevi on this feature--National and political honours and distinctions--An inactive senator--England's neglect--The composer's nature and character--Bluntness of speech--A dissatisfied auditor--Verdi's alleged parsimony--Verdi and the curate--The gossips and his fortune--Life at St. Agata villa--An "eighty-two" word-portrait--Verdi's old-age vigour--Love of flowers--His hobby at the Genoa _palazzo_--Independence of character 203