Immerse yourself in the timeless genius of Giuseppe Verdi with "The Essential Verdi," a meticulously curated collection of his most iconic and beloved opera arias and orchestral pieces. Released on October 15, 2025, under Naxos Special Projects, this album spans a generous 2 hours and 31 minutes, offering a comprehensive journey through Verdi's prolific and influential career.
From the stirring "Va, pensiero" from Nabucco to the enchanting "Celeste Aida" from Aida, this album showcases Verdi's unparalleled ability to blend drama, passion, and melody. The tracklist is a veritable who's who of opera, featuring excerpts from some of Verdi's most celebrated works, including "La Traviata," "Rigoletto," "Il Trovatore," and "Don Carlos." Each piece is a masterclass in composition, demonstrating Verdi's mastery of both the human voice and the orchestra.
The album opens with the haunting "Vedi, le fosche notturne" from Giovanna d'Arco and closes with the serene "Ave Maria," providing a full emotional spectrum of Verdi's musical range. In between, you'll find a rich tapestry of arias and instrumental pieces that highlight Verdi's ability to convey a wide range of human experiences, from love and joy to despair and triumph.
Whether you're a seasoned opera aficionado or a newcomer to the world of classical music, "The Essential Verdi" offers a compelling introduction to the work of one of the most important composers in history. With its diverse selection of pieces and high-quality recordings, this album is a testament to Verdi's enduring legacy and his continued relevance in the world of classical music.
2025 Naxos Records2025 Naxos Records
Tracks
Vedi, le fosche notturneGiuseppe Verdi, Budapest Festival Chorus, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Will Humburg
Gloria all' EgittoGiuseppe Verdi, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oliver von Dohnanyi
Va, pensiero "Chorus of Hebrew Slaves"Giuseppe Verdi, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oliver von Dohnanyi
Libiamo, ne'lieti caliciGiuseppe Verdi, Yordy Ramiro, Monika Krause, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
La donna è mobileGiuseppe Verdi, Yordy Ramiro, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
Pace, pace, mio Dio!Giuseppe Verdi, Julia Varady, Bavarian State Orchestra, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Dies irae, dies illaGiuseppe Verdi, Hungarian State Opera Chorus, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Pier Giorgio Morandi
Tuba mirumGiuseppe Verdi, Cesar Hernandez, Carlo Colombara, Hungarian State Opera Chorus, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Pier Giorgio Morandi
Fuoco di gioia!Giuseppe Verdi, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Oliver von Dohnanyi
Romance. Io la vidi e al suo sorriso (Don Carlos)Giuseppe Verdi, Lars Cleveman, Peter Mattei, Bengt Rundgren, Hillevi Martinpelto, Iwa Sorenson, Klas Hedlund, Martti Wallèn, Hilde Leidland, Jaakko Ryhänen, Ingrid Tobiasson, Royal Swedish Opera Chorus, Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra, Alberto Hold-Garrido
Di' tu se fedeleGiuseppe Verdi, Thomas Harper, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz
No. 2, More, Elisa, lo stanco poetaGiuseppe Verdi, Dennis O'Neill, Ingrid Surgenor
Celeste AidaGiuseppe Verdi, Thomas Harper, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz
Di tale amor che dirsiGiuseppe Verdi, Daniela Longhi, Zsuzsa Csonka, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Will Humburg
La luce langueGiuseppe Verdi, Amarilli Nizza, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Gianluca Martinenghi
OvertureGiuseppe Verdi, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Pier Giorgio Morandi
Sempre liberaGiuseppe Verdi, Monika Krause, Yordy Ramiro, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
Solenne in quest'oraGiuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Aragall, Eduard Tumagian, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
BallabileGiuseppe Verdi, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, José Serebrier
Prologue: Il lacerato spiritoGiuseppe Verdi, Franz Hawlata, Cologne Radio Orchestra, Helmuth Froschauer
E sogno? O realita? - Eccomi qua. Son prontoGiuseppe Verdi, Anna Bonitatibus, Maurizio Comencini, Alessandro Cosentino, Dilber, Enrico Facini, Julia Faulkner, Franco de Grandis, Anna Maria di Micco, Roberto Servile, Domenico Trimarchi, Hungarian State Opera Chorus, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Will Humburg
Caro nomeGiuseppe Verdi, Alida Ferrarini, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
Ave MariaGiuseppe Verdi, Ramón Vargas, Charles Spencer
Ritorna vincitor!Giuseppe Verdi, Krassimira Stoyanova, Munich Radio Orchestra, Pavel Baleff
PreludeGiuseppe Verdi, Monika Krause, Yordy Ramiro, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ali Rahbari
D'amor sull'ali rosee vanneGiuseppe Verdi, Daniela Longhi, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Will Humburg
Pas de soloGiuseppe Verdi, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, José Serebrier
Non pianger, mia compagnaGiuseppe Verdi, Krassimira Stoyanova, Munich Radio Orchestra, Pavel Baleff
No. 2, La seduzioneGiuseppe Verdi, Dennis O'Neill, Ingrid Surgenor
Overture to Act IGiuseppe Verdi, Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Pier Giorgio Morandi
Quando le sere al placidoGiuseppe Verdi, Marcello Giordani, Catania Teatro Massimo Bellini Orchestra, Steven Mercurio
Surta è la notte - Ernani, involamiGiuseppe Verdi, Marina Mescheriakova, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz
Le quattro stagioni: L'autunnoGiuseppe Verdi, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, José Serebrier