Artistic Independence: Verdi was a celebrated composer with a distinct musical style and reputation. His operas were already gaining popularity across Europe, and he was not particularly compelled to make drastic alterations to his works to appease Parisian tastes.
French Lyric Opera: The predominant form of opera in Paris during the 19th century was "Grand opéra," which featured elaborate sets, ballets, and spectacular stage effects. However, Verdi's operas primarily fell under the category of "Opéra lyrique," which placed more emphasis on musical drama, character development, and vocal artistry.
Adaptations for Paris: While Verdi did not make significant changes to his operas' music, he sometimes agreed to certain adjustments that were customary for the Parisian stage. These adaptations often involved adding or expanding ballet sequences, adjusting orchestration for specific instruments favored by French musicians, and employing spoken dialogue instead of recitatives.
Influence of Italian Opera: It's important to note that Italian opera had a substantial influence on the operatic scene in Paris during Verdi's time. In fact, the Opéra-Italien in Paris was dedicated to presenting Italian operas, and audiences were quite receptive to Verdi's style and music.
Notable Successes: Verdi's operas achieved considerable success in Paris without major overhauls. For instance, his operas such as "Rigoletto," "La Traviata," and "Don Carlos" were warmly embraced by Parisian audiences and critics, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest operatic composers of his era.
Overall, Giuseppe Verdi's operas were well-received in Paris without him having to make significant changes to their artistic core. His ability to blend dramatic power, beautiful melodies, and emotional authenticity resonated with audiences both in Italy and beyond, including the demanding operatic scene in Paris.