Giuseppe Verdi was possibly the most important and influential composer of Italian opera of the mid to late 19th century. He was always appreciative of great writers and playwrights. His favorite was William Shakespeare. Verdi set three of Shakespeare’s plays into opera. The first was Macbeth (1847), the second Otello (1887) and the work of “old age” Falstaff (1893). This course will examine these great works and Verdi’s collaboration with his librettists and more. Historic and current examples of recordings and videos clips will be played.