In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Giuseppe Verdi

Born: 1813. Died: 1901. Lived in: Italy
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century. His works are frequently performed in opera houses throughout the world and, transcending the boundaries of the genre, some of his themes have long since taken root in popular culture - such as "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto, "Va, pensiero" (The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco, "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (The Drinking Song) from La traviata and the "Grand March" from Aida. His work has sometimes been criticized for using a generally diatonic rather than a chromatic musical idiom and for being essentially melodrama during his early years. Verdi's masterworks dominate the standard repertoire a century and a half after their composition.

Arrangements | Recordings

Recordings and DVDs

University of New Mexico Concert Choir : Verdi Requiem

The UNM performers were joined by an Italian guest conductor, Stefano Vignati, and soloists Ilaria De Francesco, soprano; Laura Brioli, mezzo soprano; Gian Luca Pasolini, tenor; and Mirco Palazzi, bass. "We record all our performances for archival purposes, but because of the special guest artists and the combination of the chorus and concert choir, we used eight microphones to capture the event. The sound quality is exceptional, especially for a live performance," Ellingboe said.

Songlist: Requiem et Kyrie, Dies Irae:, -Dies irae, -Tuba mirum, -Liber scriptus, -Quid sum, miser!, -Rex tremendae, -Recordare, -Ingemisco, -Confutatis, -Lacrymosa, CD 2:, Domine Jesu, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Lux aeterna, Libera me