This volume contains Verdi's only two mature secular choral pieces:
Inno popolare (Hymn of the People) for unaccompanied male chorus, and
Inno delle nazioni (Hymn of the Nations), for tenor solo and chorus,
with the orchestral accompaniment reduced for piano. Verdi wrote the
brief Inno popolare in 1848, hoping that it would become an anthem for
Italy. In 1862, asked to represent his country at London's International
Exhibition, he contributed Inno delle nazioni. The critical edition is
based on Verdi's autograph score, preserved at the British Library.