Popular composer presented in edition? There’s a surprise (1,5,3)
I believe the answer is:
i never did
'there's a surprise' is the definition.
('I never did' is an expression of surprise)
'popular composer presented in edition?' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'composer' becomes 'verdi' (I've seen this before).
'presented in' indicates putting letters inside.
'edition?' becomes 'ed'.
'verdi' put into 'ed' is 'everdid'.
'in'+'everdid'='I NEVER DID'
(Other definitions for i never did that I've seen before include "that amazes me" , "That's surprising to me!" , "Gracious" .)