Program Overview
Giuseppi Verdi's production is extensive and forms part of the repertoire for opera houses and concert halls throughout the world. In designing the program for the Edmonton Verdi Festival, the organizers - The National Congress of Italian-Canadians, Edmonton District (NCIC) and The Celebrating Italian Families of Edmonton Society (CIFES) - have focused on showcasing young and emerging talent. We want to bridge generations and engage the entire community in celebrating Verdi's achievements on the 200th anniversary of his birth in 1813. Verdi's appeal is timeless and is renewed by every generation.
Highlights of the program include:
Appuntamenti Musicali Verdiani
- These short concerts on four Sundays in June will showcase selections from Verdi's works
- June 2nd - Italian Republic Day - Italian Cultural Centre (3:30 - 5:00 pm)
- June 9th - Ital-Canadian Seniors Centre (3:30 - 5:00 pm)
- June 16th - Giovanni Music, School of Music and Fine Art Gallery (7:00 - 8:30 pm)
- June 23rd - Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre (3:30 - 5:00 pm)
Viva Verdi Launch
- The formal launch will be on Wednesday, July 24th at 10 am at City Hall.
Verdi per Tutti
- A 12 noon main-stage performance at Edmonton's Heritage Days Festival on August 4th and performances on the Italian Pavilion stage
Verdi and Spoken Word
- This celebration of Verdi by authors of Italian ancestry shows the composer's impact on popular culture and takes place at 12 noon and 7 pm at City Hall on Wednesday September 18th
Verdi e la Gioventu
- A performance event aimed at showcasing young talent taking place on Saturday, September 28th at 7 pm, Theatre Hall, Santa Maria Goretti Centre
Viva Verdi
- A Gala Concert at the Winspear Centre, Friday evening October 11th at 7 pm featuring the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Edmonton Opera Chorus and featured soloists
Incontro con Verdi
- CIFES "20 Regions of Italy Extravaganza Weekend," November 1st to 3rd at the Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre- an educational and celebratory event that includes
- Verdi Musical Extravaganza and Food Fair takes place on Friday evening
- Verdi Luncheon on Saturday features a talk titled "Verdi and La Scala," by Renato Garavaglia, esteemed Director of La Scala Theatre Museum from the world renowned Italian opera house of TEATRO ALLA SCALA, Milan, Italy
- Verdi Dinner Gala on Saturday evening with virtuoso soloists and other entertainment
- Sunday Luncheon with children's musical entertainment
- Sunday afternoon presentation on "Verdi and the Risorgimento" by eminent musicologist and historian Professor Philip Gosset