G. Verdi – REQUIEM @ Maia

Verdi revered two towering figures of Italian culture: Gioachino Rossini and the poet Alessandro Manzoni. Rossini, regarded as Italy’s greatest opera composer, and Manzoni, whose novel I promessi sposi (The Betrothed) remained on Verdi’s bedside table until his death, were profound influences. When Rossini passed away in 1868, Verdi invited 13 Italian composers to collaboratively write a Requiem in honor of the master from Pesaro. However, for various reasons, the performance was canceled just nine days before the scheduled premiere. Nonetheless, when Verdi learned of Manzoni’s death in 1873, he revisited the ‘Dies Irae’ he had begun for Rossini’s Requiem and went on to compose an entire Requiem Mass in memory of the esteemed poet and writer.

The Messa da Requiem is an overwhelming creation, a work of deep introspection and understanding of Life and Death, crafted by a man at peace with his spirituality. Conducted by Verdi himself, the Messa da Requiem premiered at the Church of San Marco in Milan in 1874. This year, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of this monumental work’s premiere.