1. Literal Meaning: Honoring Giuseppe Verdi: Giuseppe Verdi was a celebrated opera composer who gained immense popularity in Italy and beyond. Crowds would cheer "Viva Verdi" as a way to show their admiration for his musical talent and artistic achievements.
2. Political Symbolism: The phrase "Viva Verdi" became a coded slogan that represented the struggle for Italian unification (Risorgimento) against foreign rule and the oppressive Austrian Empire. The letters in "Viva Verdi" could be interpreted as an acronym for "Viva Vittorio Emanuele Re D'Italia" (Long Live Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy). Victor Emmanuel II was a key figure in the unification movement and eventually became the first King of a united Italy.
By cheering "Viva Verdi," crowds were not only expressing their love for Verdi's music but also subtly conveying their support for Italian nationalism and the desire for political freedom and independence. The phrase served as a rallying cry and a symbol of resistance, uniting Italians in their pursuit of a unified nation.