Giuseppe Verdi
1813-1901
Verdi must firstly be admired for his contributions to Italian opera. I am not an ardent opera lover, so if you are looking for that here, you will be sorely disappointed. However, you will find occasional reviews and recordings of opera on the blog, but not in great volume, and usually only those which are bite-sized.
What I do appreciate from Verdi is his way with a tune, and how his orchestra gets out of the way of the singer, yet still remains interesting.
Without a focus on his opera, what is Verdi doing here? Well, his Requiem, of course!
Whereas many might fight me on it, please don't..., I prefer to think of his Requiem as a sacred opera. I know that is not a popular view, but all of the tunefulness and imaginative orchestrations are here for the taking.
If you prefer your Verdi Requiem to be less operatic and more religiously devotional, do not take my recorded recommendations. For that, visit his Four Sacred Pieces.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
1977: Requiem (Solti)
1995: Requiem (Muti)
2003: Verdi Discoveries
2011: Quattro Pezzi Sacri (Giulini)
2015: String Quartet in E minor
2016: Rigoletto (Bonynge)
2017: Aida
2017: La Traviata
2018: Macbeth
2018: Rigoletto (Giulini)
2021: Requiem (Muti 1981)
2023: Opera Choruses