Requiem Mass by Verdi, fim 14 apr 2022, Frá (2022/2022), Hljómsveitarstjóri Antonio Pirolli, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon, Portugal

Accused by some of being an opera in ecclesiastical garb, it is, in fact, for its greater grandeur and our tremendous emotion. Verdi inevitably uses here all his infinite resources as a lyrical composer to express the emotions caused by the terrible Latin text of the Mass of the Dead: abrupt emotional contrasts; rhythmic impetuosity; extraordinary melodic inspiration; unbridled drama. Just like in his best operas. Written for 4 soloists, double choir and large orchestra, it was created as a tribute to Alessandro Manzoni, one of the greatest Italian poets and novelists of the 19th century, for whom Verdi had tremendous admiration. It was premiered under the musical direction of the composer himself at the Church of San Marco in Milan on May 22, 1874, a year after the writer's death. This profoundly romantic Mass, which simultaneously expresses terror and hope, is one of the author's most beloved scores and one of the most moving musical works that throughout history have expressed humanity's fundamental yearnings: the fear of death and the response to it.