In 2022, Riccardo Muti's deep connection with Giuseppe Verdi was highlighted by two major events with his most prominent ensembles: a "monumental" performance of Un ballo in maschera in Chicago and a specialized focus on the Messa da Requiem at his Italian Opera Academy.
: The series culminated in high-profile concerts in Rimini and a free public concert in Bologna, maintaining Muti's reputation for "incandescent drama" and "microscopic attention to detail". Community Perspectives
“Muti's Verdi Requiem is unlike any other I have encountered... Muti is extremely scrupulous about how various words are emphasised. The intention is to actually give meaning to the text, rather than just to sing the notes.” Seen and Heard International · 1 year ago
: The 2022 Academy served as a "moral and ethical duty" for Muti to pass his lifelong study of Verdi to new generations.
(Ulrica) and Damiana Mizzi (Oscar) were standout favorites among the supporting cast.
“Muti's grand tour of Verdi's work with the CSO is a triumph... with performances such as this, staging and costumes can be a distraction and no longer necessary.” The Classical Music Guide Forums · 3 years ago