Composer of 'Old Soldiers Never Die' (5)

I believe the answer is:

verdi

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'composer' is the definition.
(Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1901)

'old soldiers never die' is the wordplay.
'VERDI' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how the hidden word is indicated.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for verdi that I've seen before include "Drive (anag) - composer" , "Composer of opera ''Rigoletto''" , "Diver became a strange composer" , "Opera producer" , "Drive around with great opera composer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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