Verdi, Solera, Piave and the libretto for Attila

Abstract: This article clarifies the relationship between Verdi and Solera, shows why it broke down in 1846 and discusses Solera’s idiosyncratic verses. It also rereads a widely misunderstood letter that Verdi sent to Solera, which contains not only Piave’s emendations to the final act of Attila but also Solera’s response to them, angrily scribbled over Piave’s work.