While celebrations of the famed composer continue around the world, the Israel Opera is joining forces with the Zappa music club to mark Verdi’s bicentennial with a party in his honor, tomorrow night (November 19). Some of the rising stars of the Israel Opera will give a short concert of Verdi’s greatest hits.
Giuseppe Verdi, born October 10, 1813, was and remains one of the most important operatic composers in the world. Today we recognize his music from his most famous works – Traviata, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, and Nabucco, among a total of twenty-eight operas. The music he composed is sung, hummed and discussed as often today as it was in the nineteenth century.
In his day, Verdi was a superstar. A premiere of a Verdi work was the 19th century equivalent of the opening of an X-men movie, from the frantic protection of the new music to the hordes of fans following the maestro after the show. In his long career, he did most of what today’s celebrities do: a scandalous relationship, futile attempts to escape gossip, and even a short-lived venture into politics.
Tickets cost 140 shekels (there’s a discount for students). The party will start at 22:00, but the doors will be open from 20:15. For more details, visit the Zappa’s website: www.zappa-club.co.il or call *9080.
