Verdi really was the King of opera composition. He wrote 37 operas, most of which are still performed frequently today. This production from 1979, although aged, is still as enjoyable as an updated or ‘modernized’ version. Solti conducts with deft musical interpretations and the actors are delightfully over the top as required by this opera commedia lirica. As would be expected from Verdi’s last opera, the music has all the hallmarks of a mature composer who uses everything at his disposal in the most amazing ways.