Italian Masterworks

“No living conductor knows more about these scores and their historical context, has a closer regard for textual fidelity or a more practiced understanding of how to bring them to dramatic life on stage than Muti.” — Chicago Tribune

Overture, choruses and intermezzos drawn from masterworks by Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni and Boito are brilliantly performed by Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Muti has presented these works many times over his career, including countless performances during his tenure as music director of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. The performances heard on this album were performed as Muti’s final concerts of the 2016-17 season. This album presents a virtuosic showcase of 19th-century Italian music in all its passion, joy and heartbreak.

Contents:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti conductor

Verdi Nabucco: Overture

Verdi Nabucco, “Gli arredi festivi”
Verdi Macbeth, “Patria oppressa!”
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe director

Verdi I vespri siciliani: Overture
Puccini Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo
Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo

Boito Mefistofele: Prologue
Riccardo Zanellato bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe director
Chicago Children’s Choir
Josephine Lee president and artistic director

Recorded: June 2017, Orchestra Hall, Chicago
Released: Dec. 7, 2018