Verdi: Messa da Requiem [Video]

2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the death of celebrated conductor Arturo Toscanini; accordingly, various ensembles staged tribute concerts around the world, that year. One such performance appears in this classical release: a benefit concert mounted at St. Mark's basilica in Venice, Italy. Conductor Lorin Maazel - originally a child prodigy who met Toscanini in New York City at age 11 - mounted a 2007 tribute tour titled 'In the Footsteps of Toscanini'; this culminated in two concerts in Venice featuring interpretations of Verdi's Requiem. Contributors include soprano Norma Fantini, mezzo-soprano Anna Smirnova, tenor Francesco Meli and bass vocalist Rafal Siwek. The Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino lends musical accompaniment with Piero Monti serving as chorus master. Maazel conducts.