Written in 1835 as a tribute to his friend and rival Bellini, this work by Donizetti captivates with its diversity and intensity, anticipating Verdi’s Requiem with the dramatic force of its choral sections. A celebrated opera composer, Donizetti imbues this Requiem with a veritable pulse of life, pouring into this sacred work all his tenderness for his friend and his revolt at his death.

The work closely follows the traditional structure of the Catholic Mass for the Dead, with sections such as the Requiem aeternam, the Dies irae, the Tuba mirum, and the Lacrymosa. However, Donizetti never completely completed the score; some sections remained unfinished, such as the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei.

Musically, the Requiem alternates between moments of intense contemplation and dramatic outbursts worthy of the operatic stage. It features expressive vocal lines, powerful choruses, and evocative orchestration, sometimes close to Romantic opera. The influence of Rossini and Bellini is palpable, but Donizetti’s personal voice asserts itself with direct emotion and dramatic effectiveness.

This Requiem is conducted by Speranza Scappucci, an Italian conductor of great charisma and infectious energy, internationally renowned for her consistently remarkable interpretations of the lyrical and symphonic repertoire.

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