Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) was an Italian composer best known for his operas. He came to dominate the Italian opera scene after the era of Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini, whose works significantly influenced him.
He is depicted here conducting the orchestra of the Paris Opera premiere of Aida (sung in French) at the Palais Garnier on 22 March 1880. The illustration was published in the 3 April 1880 edition of Le Monde illustré.Illustration credit: Adrien Marie; restored by Adam Cuerden