I cannot say whether Verdi was an atheist or an agnostic with conviction. I do know Giuseppina Streponi worried a great deal for his soul. The biographies I have read on Verdi stated he was atheist and there are many referebnces to his atheism if you Google "Verdi + Atheism"

I certainly will not argue the point. In the end, even on this, people will believe as they wish.

I did believe my statement was well founded though when I wrote it.

mp