Giuseppe Verdi's String Quartet in E minor was written in the spring of 1873 during a production of Aida in Naples.

Verdi's production of Aida in early March, 1873 was delayed due to the sudden illness of soprano Teresa Stolz.

[1] Verdi focused his time in Naples on the writing of his first chamber work, the String Quartet in E minor.

The work was premiered two days after the opening of Aida during an informal recital at his hotel on April 1, 1873.

[1] The names of the original performers survive only as Pinto brothers, violins, Salvadore, viola, and Giarritiello, cello.