Why did Giuseppe Verdi become widely seen as an Italian national hero after 1861?

Giuseppe Verdi became widely celebrated as an Italian national hero after 1861 primarily because of his political involvement following the unification of Italy. During this period, the conte di Cavour persuaded Verdi to stand for the Chamber of Deputies, an act that helped cement his status as a public figure of national importance.1

While it is often suggested that his earlier operas served as revolutionary rallying cries for the Risorgimento, this view is largely rooted in patriotic nostalgia rather than historical fact. However, his music—particularly the chorus "Va, pensiero" from his opera Nabucco—did assume the status of an unofficial national anthem. This association with the Italian struggle for independence, combined with his later political participation, solidified his legacy as the "singer of the Risorgimento" in the eyes of the public.1