The house where Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) lived in Sant’Agata di Villanova, near the northern Italian town of Piacenza, is not due to be closed due to ruin. The new Italian culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, said today. “Villa Verdi is fundamental to the identity of Italians and therefore must remain protected and open to the public,” said the minister.
After a long series of legal battles and family squabbles, the director of the small but bustling museum, Angiolo Carrara Verdi, the composer’s direct heir, was forced to leave the village following a decision by the civil court. This ended a 20-year legal battle between the composer’s heirs. Yesterday was the last day the museum was open, reported the daily newspaper “La liberta”.
IMAGO/imageBROKER/Martin Jung
The Supreme Court had ruled that the inheritance of Alberto Carrara Verdi, who died in 2001 and heir to the composer, should be divided equally between his three children. However, as none of the three can take over the actions of the others, the village must be sold with the museum. The court will appoint an administrator to look after the museum. According to the Minister of Culture, Carrara Verdi expects the State itself, which has the right of preference, to assume ownership.
Verdi lived in the village for 50 years, which holds countless memories of the composer’s life and his work. The museum’s roof needs an urgent renovation. The facade also needs to be repainted and the six-hectare park needs maintenance work.