Conductor: David Crescenzi
Soloists:
Melody Moore - soprano (guest)
Liza Kadelnik - mezzo-soprano
Marius Vlad Budoiu - tenor
Corneliu Huțanu - bass
Artistic director: Ina Hudea (guest)
Scenography: Magdy Hawash
Video content: Ligia Smarandache (guest)
Chorus conductor: Corneliu Felecan
Chorus and Orchestra of the Romanian National Opera in Cluj-Napoca
Considered one of the most important vocal-symphonic works by Giuseppe Verdi, the Requiem was composed to honor the memory of the poet, playwright and novelist Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873), "soul of national literature" and who, like the Italian composer, campaigned through his art for the unification of Italy.
Verdi's idea to compose a Requiem was initially linked to the death of another prominent representative of Italian culture: the composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) – the most appreciated and famous opera creator of Italy in the mid-19th century. Learning of his passing, Giuseppe Verdi proposed the creation of a Requiem, to the realization of which several of the main Italian composers would contribute. Although the initiative was well received and the component parts of the work were completed, the performance of the Mass for Rossini on the scheduled date – 13 November 1869 – did not take place for financial and organizational reasons. Libera me – the segment composed on this occasion by Verdi – would later find its place in the Messa da requiem per l’anniversario della morte di Manzoni 22 maggio 1874, as the last of the seven constituent parts: Requiem, Dies irae, Offertorio, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Lux aeterna, respectively Libera me.
The Requiem was first performed, in accordance with the composer's categorical wish, at the Duomo di San Marco, a year after Manzoni's death, on 22 May 1874, under his musical direction. Although applause was prohibited inside the basilica in Venice, the delight of the audience present at the event was felt everywhere. Concerts followed at the Teatro alla Scala, the Opéra Comique in Paris and the Royal Albert Hall in London, where the message of death, judgment, salvation, resurrection and the emotional force of the work had a strong impact on the audience.
We look forward to an uplifting performance that will enlighten us spiritually!
Recommended age: 5+
The concert has no intermission and ends around 8:00 PM
