In honour of Italian poet and writer Alessandro Manzoni, Maestro Riccardo Frizza conducts this special performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem in the grand, historic cathedral of Milan with the Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Choir of Milan. Verdi composed his masterpiece of sacred music in 1874 to pay homage to Manzoni on the first anniversary of his death. In this celebration of two greats of Italian culture and history, the orchestra was joined by a vocal cast composed of Serena Farnocchia, soprano, Anna Maria Chiuri, mezzo-soprano, Luciano Ganci, tenor, and Luiz-Ottavio Faria, bass. “This work is so great because it is the affirmation of the personal feelings that a human being faces during mourning, which comes to us through the anguish, pain, and hope that the strength of Verdi’s music expresses.” Maestro Frizza said in an interview with Gramiliano.
Da Ponte & Friends
Da Ponte and Friends takes audiences on a journey through the life of Lorenzo Da Ponte, highlighting his pivotal role in introducing Italian opera to America. The show explores the diverse worlds Da Ponte inhabited: the court of Vienna, revolutionary Europe, and the birth of the New World. Through his collaborations with Mozart, Salieri, and others, Da Ponte’s work bridges the classical and the revolutionary, connecting the past with the present. Conceived by Claudio Orazi and Francesco Zimei, this project honors Mozart’s legacy and beyond, featuring the Carlo Felice Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Alvise Casellati, with soloists Salome Jicia (soprano), Giovanni Sala (tenor), and Levent Bakirci (baritone). Actor Giampiero Judica narrates as Da Ponte, bringing to life the librettist’s memoirs. The performance includes famous arias from operas by Da Ponte, Mozart, Salieri, Martín y Soler, and others, showcasing both beloved and rarely heard works