After Giuseppe Verdi was refused admission to the Milan Conservatory, the violinist Alessandro Rolla arranged for him to take private lessons with Vincenzo Lavigna, who was serving as the maestro al cembalo at La Scala. Lavigna taught Verdi counterpoint and composition from 1832 to 1835. Lavigna considered his student's compositions to be very promising, and Verdi obtained his certification from the teacher in July 1835.
Verdi later spoke very warmly of Lavigna. He maintained great admiration for his instructor and was deeply affected upon learning of Lavigna's death.
