I will never die. But when if I do—certainly after 2300—, I want to be mourned with Verdi’s “Requiem.” No discussion. Few musical moments are more rewarding than the first tenor “Kyrie,” breaking into the orchestral mass, abashing any feelings that are not of heroic repentance. I simply love it. However, such strong personal preference creates rigid expectations of how {…}
The Orchestra e Coro dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia has found a replacement for Ildar Abdrazakov for its Verdi Requiem. The company announced that Giorgi Manoshvili will sing the bass part in the concerts scheduled for Feb. 3, 4, and 5, 2024. Manoshvili recently performed in Monte Carlo, Verona, and Pesaro. This season, he is set to perform in Rouen, {…}
The Osterfestspiele Salzburg has announced a cast change for its performances of Verdi’s Requiem. The festival said, “As Jonas Kaufmann would like to concentrate fully on his three performances and his scenic role debut as Enzo Grimaldi in ‘La Gioconda,’ he has expressed the wish to resign his participation in our Choral Concert – Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.” As a {…}
The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has announced a cast change for its presentation of Verdi’s Requiem. The company said, “We would like to inform you that due to illness Ildar Abdrazakov will be replaced by Erwin Schrott for the Messa da Requiem concert this Thursday, November 2. The Opéra de Monte-Carlo wishes him a speedy recovery and thanks Erwin Schrott who {…}
Credit: Richard Termine As a mopey high schooler, requiems were my thing: Mozart’s, Fauré’s, Verdi’s — it was these that introduced me to choral music on a grand scale, and if not for them, in all likelihood, I wouldn’t have been sitting in the Met auditorium watching Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin lead soloists and the Met Orchestra and Chorus {…}
UPDATE: Buratto never officially joined the Requiem due to her schedule due to “Suor Angelica” rehearsals at the Wiener Staatsoper. She never canceled. The Wiener Konzerthaus has announced cast changes for the Verdi Requiem on Oct. 28, 2023. The company said that Eleonora Buratto would not participate in the performance due to scheduling reasons. As a result, Ewa Płonka will take over {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine / Met Opera) The Metropolitan Opera is set to present Verdi’s Requiem. The work will be conducted by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and will star soprano Leah Hawkins, mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, tenor Matthew Polenzani, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy. Verdi’s Requiem has been performed at the Met more than 50 times, beginning on Feb. 17, 1901, when it commemorated the composer’s death {…}
Kazuki Yamada/courtesy of CBSO The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has unveiled its 2023-24 season, and it’s full to the brim with opportunities to hear some of the world’s finest music and musicians. With over 12 months of programming, the Orchestra has something for everyone. The Orchestra will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the City of Birmingham Symphony {…}
The Teatro dell’Opera di Rima has announced a cast change for its Verdi Requiem on Feb. 15, 2023. The company said that due to illness, Elena Stikhina would not be able to perform. As a result, Eleonora Buratto will sing the soprano part. Buratto, who is scheduled to perform with the company in June in a production of “Madama Butterfly,” has {…}
During my 40 years of being obsessed with opera, and five years singing in major choral works, I realize it’s a bit odd that Verdi’s Requiem never entered my sphere. I have never experienced it live, nor even owned a recording. Please do not shame me. I am somewhat familiar with a couple of the most famous sections: the driving {…}
The San Diego Symphony has announced its 2022-23 Masterworks Classical Season, which will be book-ended with vocal performances of works by Verdi and Antonio Estévez. Opening the season is a San Diego Symphony premiere presentation of Verdi’s “Requiem” featuring soloists soprano Leah Crocetto, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Limmie Pulliam, and baritone Aleksey Bogdanov, all of whom are making their {…}