by InTrieste
As the clock prepares to strike midnight on December 31, 2024, Trieste’s historic Teatro Verdi will host its annual End-of-Year Concert, a tradition cherished by locals and international visitors alike. This year’s program, conducted by Maestro Enrico Calesso, promises a night filled with Italian opera’s most beloved overtures and arias, featuring works by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Ponchielli, and Puccini.
The evening’s performers include a trio of distinguished vocal talents: soprano Ekaterina Bakanova, who is set to star in Carmen at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and Kovancina in Geneva in 2025; tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas, a Peruvian Operalia winner who has already graced the stages of La Scala and the Vienna Opera; and baritone Alessandro Luongo, whose impressive career has taken him to major European capitals. They will be joined by the Orchestra and Choir of the Teatro Lirico G. Verdi di Trieste, with the choir under the direction of Maestro Paolo Longo.
An Evening of Operatic Splendor
The program will open with Rossini’s rousing Guillaume Tell overture and include highlights such as Figaro’s exuberant “Largo al factotum” from Il Barbiere di Siviglia, the tender “Una furtiva lagrima” from Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore, and Verdi’s iconic “Va’ pensiero” from Nabucco. Audiences can also look forward to Puccini’s poignant “Quando m’en vo” from La Bohème and the soaring “Nessun dorma” from Turandot. The evening will conclude with the celebratory toast “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from Verdi’s La Traviata.
Between the vocal highlights, the orchestra will take center stage with instrumental works, including Ponchielli’s “Danza delle ore” from La Gioconda. The choir will shine in ensemble pieces, ensuring the night is as much a showcase for the Teatro Verdi’s artistic ensemble as it is a celebration of Italian opera’s timeless appeal.
A Year of Revival and Growth
The End-of-Year Concert caps off a particularly dynamic year for Teatro Verdi, which has expanded its summer programming, increased subscription numbers, and strengthened its connection with both local and international audiences. Superintendent Giuliano Polo expressed optimism about the theater’s trajectory, noting that “a renewed energy surrounds the Verdi.” Initiatives like shuttle services and new LED displays on the theater’s exterior have broadened its reach, making the magic of opera accessible to all.
Polo emphasized the theater’s vital role not only as a cultural institution but also as an economic engine for the region. “With its workshops, technical teams, and creative staff, the Verdi is a true entertainment industry, providing employment and fostering beauty and culture,” he said. The theater’s efforts extend to promoting regional tourism, a mission highlighted by its collaboration with PromoTurismoFVG and the City of Trieste. Looking ahead, Teatro Verdi will host the 2025 annual meeting of the International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), welcoming 17 editors from Europe’s leading cultural publications.
A Toast to the Future
For Maestro Enrico Calesso, now considered an honorary Triestine, and the entire Teatro Verdi team, the End-of-Year Concert is more than a performance—it’s a testament to the theater’s enduring significance. As the final notes of La Traviata ring out, audience members will raise their glasses not only to the new year but also to the Verdi’s bright future as a beacon of Italian culture and artistry.
