The commemoration activities will last for one year. Scheduled for the commemoration is a concert in Beijing on January 17, during which Chinese and Italian musicians will jointly perform Verdi's Reqieum. La Traviata will also be staged and musicians from both countries will jointly perform Il Trovatore, Un Ballo in Maschera and La Forza del Destino.

Verdi composed dozens of operas and other musical works during his life, and many, including La Traviata, Rigoletto and Reqieum, are known around the world.

Italy has set up a national committee to commemorate Verdi, who died in 1901. Commemorative activities are being held in many parts of the world.

(Xinhua 01/05/2001)