YOU may have noticed graffiti designed posters around Basingstoke and the surrounding area, promoting Viva Verdi.

This design is the result of research by Brigid Campbell, a member of the Basingstoke Choral Society, to promote this month's concert.

During the middle of the 19th century, Italy was involved in a massive nationalist movement for a united country under the King of Sardinia, Victor Emmanuel II.

Verdi was also very involved in the movement.

The words "Viva Verdi" were written on buildings all over Italy, seemingly praising Guiseppi Verdi, but, in fact, they were an acronym for the nationalist movement, being the initials of Vittore Emmanuele Re D'Italia who later became the first King of Italy.

Verdi was enormously popular then as a composer and musician and is still well-loved today.

The Basingstoke Choral Society, with Katherina Leitgeb and David Maxwell Anderson, and the New London Sinfonia, conducted by David Gibson, will perform choruses, arias and duets from some of the most popular operas written by Verdi. These include Aida, La Traviate, Nabucco and Il Travatore as well as the Libera Me from his Requiem.

Viva Verdi will be at The Anvil, Basingstoke, at 7.45pm on Saturday, June 26. Tickets, priced from £10, are available from the box office on 01256 844244.