Life and Works - Guiseppe Verdi. Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann, with Freddie Jones as Verdi. Naxos 8.5581111-14 (4CD's and booklet).

Here is an unusual way for a novice to learn more about the composers.

This particular recording assesses the life and work of prolific Italian musician, Guiseppe Verdi, who described himself as a "peasant". This was completely untrue, his ancestors were landowners and his parents could afford to educate him especially in Latin and music.

With the sole exception of the Requiem, all Verdi's major works are operas. His first was Oberto, but it was Nabucco that would bring him reputation, and from it the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves is probably the best-known chorus heard in the world today.

Interspersed with the voices of actors to speak the narrative of the man himself and his friends and teachers, many of Verdi's well-known works are not, sadly given as good a credit as I feel they deserve.

Opening with the Grand March from Aida, the music is just getting into full swing when the narrative begins. Perhaps this is nit-picking, but the music is the thing. However, maybe a taster will make the listener curious enough to buy a complete recording.

The accompanying notes are full and well-researched and should be enough to satisfy any avid learner. This is an unusual vehicle to introduce the novice to Verdi and his work; Jeremy Spielmann has done a worthy job.