Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Verdi’s Requiem

Verdi felt compelled to start a Requiem after the passing of fellow composer and cultural icon Gioachino Rossini. After a five-year delay, Verdi returned to the project after the death of revered Italian author Alessandro Manzoni. A fervent admirer of Manzoni and his works, Verdi dedicated his Requiem to the writer’s memory.

As you would expect from one of the greatest operatic composers of all time, the Requiem packs a dramatic punch, moving from thundering crescendos to moments of pious contemplation. Verdi wrote the piece with a concert hall setting in mind, rather than the strictly observant surrounds of a church.