The California-based Verdi Chorus has announced its 40th anniversary season, which consists of four performances and one opera showcase.

“Our 40^th Anniversary season is such a landmark event, not only for the chorus and audience members who have been with us from the very beginning, but for new opera enthusiasts we are welcoming for the first time on both sides of the concert stage,” said Artistic Director and Founder Anne Marie Ketchum in an official press statement. “It’s remarkable to me that the Verdi Chorus, which began as a group of passionate amateur music lovers in 1983 at the old Verdi Restaurant in Santa Monica, has evolved to a major semiprofessional nonprofit force in the Los Angeles classical music scene, featuring singers from all walks of life, devoted to performing opera choruses in concert. Far from being a time to rest on our laurels, this coming season will offer many exciting ‘firsts’ – from the Emily Dickinson theatre/concert piece that launches the season, to our first fully produced opera, Mascagni’s ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ which we will present this winter.”

First up is “This, and My Heart,” a portrait of Emily Dickinson. The performance, which is presented in collaboration with the Sahm Family Foundation, features music by Aaron Copland, Tom Cipullo, Lori Laitman and Steve Heitzeg.

Performance Date: Oct. 15, 2023

Next up is the company’s 40th anniversary fall concert which will feature music from many of Verdi’s operas including “Nabucco,” “Don Carlo,” and “La Traviata.” There will also be passages from “Samson et Dalila” and “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Audiences will hear such soloists as Julie Makarov, Audrey Babcock, Alex Boyer, and Roberto Perlas Gómez.

Performance Date: Nov. 18-19, 2023

Kicking off the new year is a performance of “Cavalleria Rusticana.” This is the first time that the Verdi Chorus presents an opera in its entirety in the company’s history. The performance will feature Audrey Babcock, Todd Wilander, and Roberto Perlas Gómez.

Performance Date: Jan. 20, 2024

The season comes to a close with a 40th anniversary Spring Concert “Star-Crossed.” The showcase will feature selections from operas by Mozart, Donizetti, Gounod, and Léhar. Sopolists include Jamie Chamberlin Granner, Nathan Granner, and Colin Ramsey.

Performance Date: April 27-28, 2024