BBC NOW 2017-18 Season Verdi & Respighi by Verdi, Respighi, Alkaen (2017/2017), Musiikinjohto Xian Zhang, St David's Hall, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Principal Guest Conductor Xian Zhang makes a splendid entrance to the season with the sweeping scores of Verdi and Respighi. Verdi’s ominous triple knock of fate opens the concert, which then features passionate moments from his most celebrated operas, as well as a sacred work taken from his final creative decade. Few can match the high drama of Verdi’s style, but Respighi picks up the gauntlet with his celebration of ancient Rome, culminating in a legion of soldiers marching triumphantly up the Appian Way.