Through hard work and diligence, Verdi eventually experienced modest success with his opera "Oberto" in 1839. A few years later in 1842, he had even greater success with "Nabucco." The opera, interpreted as a political statement on the oppression of the Hebrews, was met with international acclaim. Even with his first operas, Verdi displayed a captivating new style. His style was bold and subtle in a way that was different from the masters of the period like Rossini, Donizzeti and Bellini. Verdi was a prolific composer. Within a ten-year period he wrote several operas including "Ernani" in 1844 and "MacBeth" in 1847. These operas showcased Verdi's ability to combine character and story alongside his compelling music. Verdi's success continued into the early 1850's with "Rigoletto" in 1851, "Il Trovatore" in 1853, and, of course, "La Traviata", also in 1853. Verdi had reached the point where he could refuse commissions, instead concentrating only on those tasks that interested him. The operas "Don Carlos" in 1867, and "Aida" in 1871, deftly explored the conflicts between public and private responsibility. After retiring to become a gentleman farmer in Sant'Agata near his birthplace, Verdi was persuaded to return to composing with the opportunity to create an opera based on Shakespeare's "Othello." The result, "Otello" in 1887, is a masterpiece of dramatic pacing and musical structure. Other operas followed, including the opera "Falstaff," based on Shakespeare's play, "The Merry Wives of Windsor."