Dessert and Conversation: Viva Verdi!

Enjoy a pre-performance discussion with members of the artistic team

When Giuseppe Verdi died in 1901, Italy wept as one nation. Almost a quarter of a million people took to the streets, marching to "Va, Pensiero" from Nabucco—better known as the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves—sung by a massed choir under the baton of celebrated maestro Arturo Toscanini. Lyric Theatre @ Illinois continues its celebration of Italy with a tribute to Verdi, in collaboration with the UI Symphony Orchestra and the UI Oratorio Society. Robust choruses, soaring solo voices, and thrilling orchestration will express victory and defeat, love and longing, joy and despair. Come join us to hear great moments in Italian opera, conducted by Maestro Donald Schleicher and directed by theatre artist and scholar Kyle Thomas.