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The School of Music and the Italian Section of the Department Of Languages & Literature at the University of Utah will present "Viva Verdi! A celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Italian Re-unification (Risorgimento)" on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. each night.
The show will be at Libby Gardner Hall on the University of Utah campus.
It is billed as "an extravaganza of Italian culture featuring a "Taste of Italy," desserts, gelato, and some "dolce vita" in Thompson Hall.
The centerpiece of the evening is performers from Lyric Opera featuring the music of Italy's greatest opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi. Two distinct casts will perform famous arias, ensembles, and choruses from a dozen well-known operas including La Traviata, Rigoletto, and Il trovatore. Selections from Verdi's Requiem will also be heard as well as a few of his rarely heard songs.
In conjunction with Italian section of the Department of Languages and Literature at the University of Utah, students will present an "Italian extravaganza." Italian students will provide interesting historical background on the Unification of Italy (the Italian Risorgimento) through a series of readings and poems while the singers present some of Italy's greatest music, some of which ignited the spirit of the new country.
Tickets are $7 for adults, and $3 for students.
The initial address will be given by Michael Homer, Honorary Italian Vice Consul of Utah; Ben Mc Adams, Utah State Senator; and Giuliana Marple, U of U Italian faculty.