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Verdi grew up in humble surroundings and studied opera and composition in Busseto and Milan.  His first attempts at opera were not very successful and he was very discouraged by the death of his wife and two children. His first success was Nabucco in 1842, and this led to a series of great successful operas.  He composed 32 in his lifetime, dominating the world of Italian opera throughout the 19th century.