Book excerpt: From his first grand success in 1842 with "Nabucco" to his last Shakespearean operas, "Otello" (1887) and "Falstaff" (1893), Giuseppe Verdi dominated the world of Italian opera. This compilation features 26 classic arias from 16 of his greatest operas, in the composer's transcriptions for voice and piano. Reproduced from authoritative early editions, the arias include "Oh, patria mia" and "Ritorna vincitor!" from "Aida"; "Saper vorreste" from "Un Ballo in Mascera"; "Ah fors'e lui," from "La Traviata"; "Pace, pace, mio Dio" from "La Forza del Destino"; "Caro nome" from "Rigoletto"; as well as rarely compiled gems from "Simon Boccanegra, Don Carlos, Il Trovatore, Luisa Miller, Stiffelio, "and other legendary operas. Singers, pianists, and opera lovers will treasure this generous collection of unforgettable arias by one of the supreme masters of the form. "