FAREWELL, DALIA!

Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem was written in memory of the writer and philosopher Alessandro Manzoni. This great work was expected to continue the Requiem Mass tradition with its devotional, funereal atmosphere, but Verdi could not go against his nature. The issue of death drew the Italian master towards the dramas of Aida, Rigoletto and La traviata – the larger-than-life pathos of tragedy. His Requiem turned out to be too religious for the opera house and too ostentatious for the church. Yet the touching arias, moving choral scenes and eternal questions about life in the inimitable style of Italian opera are perfectly suited to the concert hall.

The final concert of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s season crowns Dalia Stasevska’s successful tenure as principal conductor with impressive contributions from top Finnish soloists and a large choir.