How did Giuseppe Verdi adapt Shakespeare's Macbeth for opera?

Giuseppe Verdi’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth (1847) was a landmark work that demonstrated his deep commitment to literary and dramatic values. Rather than relying on traditional operatic conventions, Verdi sought to create a work that was as original and gripping as the source material.1

Key aspects of his adaptation include:

• Focus on Character: Verdi recognized that Lady Macbeth’s soliloquies functioned essentially as opera solos, leading him to place significant emphasis on her role. He famously instructed that she should not sing in a conventional, beautiful manner, prioritizing dramatic expression over vocal perfection.2
• Political Resonance: The opera mirrored the political climate of 19th-century Italy, specifically the Risorgimento. Verdi depicted the tyrannical authority of usurpers being challenged by Scottish exiles, creating a parallel to the Italian struggle for unity.21
• Evolution of the Work: While the 1847 version was highly successful, Verdi revised the opera in 1865 to remove certain crudities. Notably, he preserved the harrowing sleepwalking scene of Lady Macbeth exactly as it was originally composed, recognizing its enduring power.1