The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown

Watch & Vote

Watch & Vote

The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown

Verdi's choruses are some of the most exhilarating experiences in opera. Whether you're a longtime opera fan or a casual listener, the power of Verdi’s choral melodies have the power to move you and thrill you with the sheer splendor and beauty of their sound.

In this stirring new digital series, the three maestri of Lyric — longtime Music Director Sir Andrew Davis, incoming Music Director Enrique Mazzola, and Chorus Master Michael Black — each conduct two grand choral excerpts from Verdi operas, performed by members of the Lyric Opera Chorus, recorded earlier this year from the safety of the artists’ homes

The fun begins as we share them here and spotlight one masterpiece per week — giving you the chance to vote for your favorite! There will be selections from La traviata, Il trovatore, Otello, Luisa Miller, Nabucco, and Macbeth. Watch and listen, choose a favorite and vote — and encourage your friends to vote, too! They are all wonderful choruses, but only one Verdi chorus will reign supreme. Which one will it be?

Results

Winner of The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown announced

Winner of The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown announced

The public voted and the winner of The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown is...
"Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi's Nabucco led by our new music director, Enrique Mazzola!

Bravi to all three of our beloved Maestri — Enrique Mazzola, Sir Andrew Davis, and Michael Black — as well as the wonderful Lyric Opera Chorus who made this project possible.

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Winner of The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown announced

The public voted and the winner of The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown is...

"Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi's Nabucco led by our new music director, Enrique Mazzola!

Bravi to all three of our beloved Maestri — Enrique Mazzola, Sir Andrew Davis, and Michael Black — as well as the wonderful Lyric Opera Chorus who made this project possible.

Choruses

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“Si ridesta in ciel l’aurora” from Verdi’s La traviata

“Si ridesta in ciel l’aurora” is led by Maestro Michael Black and performed by the Lyric Opera Chorus with pianist Michael Curtain. Found in Act One of Verdi’s 1853 hit, La traviata, this chorus takes place just as dawn is breaking following a night of wild partying at the home of Violetta Valéry. As the partygoers stream onto the streets of Paris, they thank their hostess for a splendid evening and eagerly await the next party.

 

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“Va, pensiero” from Verdi’s Nabucco

“Va, pensiero” is led by Maestro Enrique Mazzola and performed by the Lyric Opera Chorus with pianist Noah Lindquist. This famous piece from Verdi’s Nabucco is commonly known as the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves." The soul-stirring text is inspired by Psalm 137 of the Old Testament and has served as a rallying cry for oppressed people in search of a homeland since the opera’s premiere in 1842.

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“Fuoco di gioia” from Verdi’s Otello

“Fuoco di gioia” is led by Maestro Sir Andrew Davis and performed by the Lyric Opera Chorus with pianist Noah Lindquist. This chorus from Act One of Verdi’s 1887 opera, Otello, finds the people of Cyprus drinking around a bonfire as they celebrate the safe return of their new governor, Otello, and his troupes following a naval battle.

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“Vedi, le fosche notturne spoglie” from Verdi’s Il trovatore

“Vedi, le fosche notturne spoglie” from Verdi’s 1853 opera, Il trovatore, is led by Chorus Master Michael Black with the Lyric Opera Chorus and pianist Michael Curtain. Commonly known as the “Anvil Chorus,” this Act Two celebration of hard work, good wine, and Gypsy women has become one of the most recognizable tunes in the repertoire.

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“Ti desta, Luisa” from Verdi’s Luisa Miller

“Ti desta, Luisa” from Verdi’s 1849 opera, Luisa Miller is performed by the Lyric Opera Chorus and pianist Noah Lindquist under the baton of Maestro Enrique Mazzola. This charming chorus opens the opera as villagers flock to the Millers’ home to celebrate the heroine’s birthday.

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“Patria oppressa” from Verdi’s Macbeth

“Patria oppressa” from Verdi’s 1847 opera, Macbeth, is led by Sir Andrew Davis with the Lyric Opera Chorus and pianist Noah Lindquist. Full of nostalgia and national pride, this Shakespeare-inspired chorus finds Macduff and his troops camped along the Scottish border, mourning their exile and worrying over the fate of their country under Macbeth’s rule.

Conductors' Notes

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Maestro Black wants your vote for La traviata

Chorus Master Michael Black wants you to put on your party hat and cast your vote in The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown for “Si ridesta in ciel l’aurora” from the hit opera La traviata.

Maestro Mazzola wants your vote for Nabucco

“Va, pensiero” (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Verdi’s Nabucco is one of opera’s most popular pieces and is incoming music director Enrique Mazzola’s pick for the top Verdi chorus. If you agree, cast your vote in The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown.

 

Maestro Davis wants your vote for Otello

Lyric’s longtime music director Sir Andrew Davis wants you to vote for Verdi’s big comeback opera: Otello, specifically the fast, furious, and fun “Fuoco di gioia'' in The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown.

Maestro Black wants your vote for Il trovatore

Lyric’s Chorus Master Michael Black wants you to cast your vote for “Vedi, le fosche notturne spoglie” from Verdi’s Il trovatore (more commonly known as the Anvil Chorus). While no anvils were used in this specific recording, the iconic rhythm is a sure-fire hit!

Maestro Mazzola wants your vote for Luisa Miller

Incoming music director Enrique Mazzola wants your vote for the chorus “Ti desta, Luisa” from one of Verdi’s earliest gems, Luisa Miller, which he conducted at Lyric in the 2019/20 Season.

 

Maestro Davis wants your vote for Macbeth

If you’re excited to see Verdi’s Macbeth open Lyric’s 2021/22 Season, you’ll want to listen to the wonderful Sir Andrew Davis and cast your vote in The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown for “Patria oppressa” from this Shakespearean gem.

Meet the artists

Featuring the Lyric Opera Chorus

The Great Verdi Chorus Showdown is generously made possible by

Mary Patricia Gannon