Verdi's Elite Fan Club: Where Membership Comes Only After Death

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In the heart of Italy's culinary capital Parma lies one of the world's most exclusive musical societies, where new members can only join when an existing member passes away.

The Club dei 27, dedicated to the legendary composer Giuseppe Verdi, represents a unique blend of passion, tradition, and strict adherence to membership rules that have captivated opera enthusiasts worldwide.

The club, which recently celebrated Verdi's 211th birthday on October 10, comprises exactly 27 members, each assuming the name of one of the maestro's operas.

"When we receive a new membership request, we touch wood," says club president Enzo Petrolini, who goes by the opera name "Un Giorno di Regno."

Unlike its namesake coincidence - the infamous "27 Club" of musicians who died at that age - this society celebrates longevity.

Its members, ranging from bankers to surgeons, share an unwavering devotion to Verdi's musical legacy. The current age span of members stretches from 58 to 85 years old.

The club's exclusivity has spawned numerous urban legends, including requirements to memorize entire operas or know obscure trivia about famous opera singers. However, Petrolini dismisses these as myths, stating that the only genuine prerequisite is "a passion for Verdi."

From humble beginnings in a local sandwich shop in 1958, the club has evolved into a prestigious institution that regularly collaborates with renowned conductors and opera singers. Members don a distinctive uniform - navy blazers, gray trousers, and custom ties bearing the club's emblem - for special occasions.

The selection process for new members mirrors the secrecy of a papal conclave, with existing members gathering in their clubhouse for confidential voting. Prospective members must be sponsored by current members who can verify their dedication to Verdi's work.

The club's male-only membership policy has sparked some controversy, leading to the creation of Verdissime.com, a women's group founded by Luciana Dallari in 2008.

This parallel organization, taking its names from female characters in Verdi's operas, operates with more flexible membership rules.

During the recent birthday celebration, club members performed the beloved chorus "Va Pensiero" from "Nabucco" in the room where Verdi was born in 1813, above his father's tavern in Roncole Verdi.

The day's festivities included wreath-laying ceremonies, communal singing, and traditional toasts using personalized ceramic mugs reserved for this annual occasion.

For newest member Demetrio Ravasio, who waited 30 years to join and commemorated his membership with a tattoo of his assigned opera "Don Carlo," the club represents more than mere appreciation. "I'm not attached to Verdi, it's much more," he explains. "It's visceral."

Through educational programs, fundraising events, and annual galas at Teatro Regio, Club dei 27 continues to preserve and promote Verdi's musical heritage, ensuring that the composer's legacy resonates with future generations in his beloved homeland.

The New York Times article was used for reference.