In the grand creations of music theater, good stories are told. This applies to the operas of Gluck and Mozart as well as to the works of Wagner, Strauss, and Berg. Giuseppe Verdi wrote wonderful music, but he also understood why he placed such great importance on a powerful plot. His librettists had to work long on the texts until he was satisfied with them. Rolf Stemmle has already transformed the plots of Richard Wagner's stage works into exciting narratives. Now he presents a volume with three Verdi operas: Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Aida. Outsiders of society and couples whose connections do not fit into their environment fight for their rights within these stories. The narratives, centered around these characters, are both moving and critical of the times, leading through passionate scenes and dramatic confrontations.