Photo by Cory Weaver
Giuseppe Verdi was born on Oct. 9 or 10, 1813 (the date is still debated), and San Francisco Opera's contribution to marking the bicentennial — in addition to the current superb production of Falstaff — is a one-time performance of his Requiem in the Opera House Friday night.
Nicola Luisotti will conduct what the SFO announcement calls a "monumental concert," with some quantitative justification: there will be 320 musicians on stage and in the sold-out theater, an audience of approximately 3,300 is expected.
In addition to the SFO Chorus and Orchestra, their counterparts from Naples' Teatro di San Carlo are participating. Luisotti is music director of both companies.
Soloists are soprano Leah Crocetto, mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa, tenor Michael Fabiano, and bass Vitalij Kowaljow