Start with a Requiem. It can only cheer up
NewsThe Italian conductor Fabio Luisi began his term this week as head of the NHK Symphony in Tokyo with a timely concert of Verdi’s Requiem on the 21st anniversary of 9/11.
The performance opened a new era for the orchestra after seven years with Paavo Järvi and a long hiatus during Covid.
The soloists were Hibla Gerzmava, Olesya Petrova, René Barbera and Kwangchul Youn.
One of the most racist countries on the face of the Earth. This is primary reason the management companies hire “caretakers” to babysit orchestra members while on tour so that they don’t see what Japan is really like.
Yes, I hear you Sven, I hear you.
All that glitters is not gold.
In other news, Juraj Valčuha inaugurates his first season as music director of the Houston Symphony this weekend with Verdi’s Requiem; he opens a new era after the brilliant 8-year tenure of Andres Orozco Estrada (who ended his time there this April with Mahler 2, available on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYRfuwOZWVc)
Opening the season with the Verdi Requiem seems to be a “thing” this year. The San Diego Symphony is doing the same, under Music Director Rafael Payare. (I, for one, am looking forward to it.)