Raff's paraphrases transform operatic melodies into virtuosic piano showpieces, demanding considerable technical prowess.
Requires strong octave technique and the ability to project melodic lines over rapid figurations.
2 Salon Paraphrases after Verdi (Op.70) is rated Henle level 7 of 9 — late advanced repertoire, roughly ABRSM grade 8 and above. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 7 — meaning you can already play level 6–7 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of 2 Salon Paraphrases after Verdi (Op.70) lasts about 15 minutes.
2 Salon Paraphrases after Verdi (Op.70) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.