Tagliatelle with Artichokes and Peas

Ernani, Verdi’s fifth opera, premiered at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice on March 9, 1844. Based on a highly controversial play by Victor Hugo, the opera brought Verdi international fame. It was the first of 9 operas by the composer to use a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, who was a director at La Fenice before moving to La Scala in 1859. The opera has remained popular since its debut and in recent years has received new productions at La Scala (with Placido Domingo and Mirella Fr