Villanova sull’Arda (PC) – Riccardo Muti is calling for the swift preservation of Villa Verdi. The conductor wants the former home of composer Giuseppe Verdi to be restored and reopened to visitors as a museum. On Saturday, he ramped up pressure on policymakers with a musical evening in the garden of the complex, which has been closed since 2022.
Muti accompanied an ensemble of singers and a flutist on the piano. In addition to the „Notturno,“ the program featured excerpts from operas such as „Nabucco,“ „Rigoletto,“ „Il trovatore,“ „Macbeth,“ and „Falstaff.“ The event was not open to the public and was recorded by Rai. Among the expected guests were Ministers Alessandro Giuli, Gianmarco Mazzi, and Tommaso Foti.
Why is Villa Verdi closed?
Villa Verdi, located in the village of Sant’Agata, is part of the municipality of Villanova sull’Arda in the province of Piacenza. Verdi had the estate expanded beginning in the mid-19th century and lived there with his second wife, Giuseppina Strepponi. The estate includes the residence, a park covering approximately six hectares, furniture, letters, works of art, and the composer’s personal belongings.
After a long-standing dispute among the heirs, the house closed in 2022. The Italian government took over the complex following an expropriation proceeding in February 2025. In the meantime, 6.5 million euros have been allocated for the restoration. Nevertheless, the building and park remain closed to the public. Following Muti’s appeal, Culture Minister Giuli stated that work had begun and that the villa would soon reopen to the public.
Muti criticized the failures of previous governments, regardless of their political orientation. His focus is not limited to structural preservation. As a museum, the house is intended to showcase Verdi’s life, his work, and his connection to the landscape between Piacenza and Parma. The evening in the garden also served as a reminder that operas such as „Il trovatore,“ „La traviata,“ and „Falstaff“ were composed during Verdi’s years in Sant’Agata.
