Kansas City Symphony - Roman Festivals: Respighi and Verdi October 22, 2010

Verdi's Overture to 'I vespri siciliani' is a lavish and restless curtain-raiser while his beautiful and lush 'Four Sacred Pieces' are a moving testament of faith. He loved the last movement, 'Te Deum,' so much that he wanted a copy of the score to be placed in his coffin. Ferrucio Busoni's magical and colorful 'Turandot Suite' was composed as a response to Carlo Gozzi's fanciful play. From its opening bars, 'Feste romane' thrusts the listener into the world of imperial Rome with its vivid, raucous and almost cinematic musical depictions of Roman 'fetes,' spanning the history of the Eternal City. Join the Symphony and Chorus for an evening of Italian delights overflowing with lyricism and drama.