An Introduction to the Giuseppe Verdi Choral Society

The beginnings of the Giuseppe Verdi Choral Society are part of the post-World War II mass-migration to Australia, with particular reference to migration from Italy. While issues of housing, work, family, had to be re-invented, newcomers sought also a broader sense of purpose beyond the day to day practicalities. In the hearts of many, the songs learnt from the cot, mountain songs, seaside and farm songs, love songs, patriotic songs, as well as the more classical opera arias, transmitted through the centuries from one generation to the next, echoed within one’s own silence, as one tackled the realities of the new situation. Maintaining and reviving the deep emotions that had been discovered from childhood through the magic of music and singing took shape and gained momentum among a number of the hard-working newcomers; in due course, in Brisbane, the dream became reality when some of these pioneers - decided to join hearts and voices. Informal sing-song gatherings had started as early as 1951 at Brisbane’s Saint Francis House where prayer, song and dance were the order of the week. In 1958, the Giuseppe Verdi Choral Society was formally founded and incorporated. In essence, for half a century, the Verdi Choir has been the voice and heart of the community, always ready to respond to events of importance to the community be they weddings, baptisms, funerals, special Masses, Italian national days and the like, specially in South East Queensland.