Verdi: Compagni, sostiamo (from La forza del destino)

Where Italian opera is concerned, the centre of the world is in Milan – and the famous La Scala. This is where these recordings of great opera choruses by the doyen of all Italian opera composers were made – under the baton of La Scala's star conductor Riccardo Muti.

With his questing spirit, Verdi took an often innovative approach to the choral and orchestral components of his operas. In Nabucco, his first great success, the chorus of Hebrew slaves became a protagonist – and its ‘Va, pensiero’ became Italy’s honorary national anthem – while his overtures range from atmospheric introductions, for instance the haunting prelude to La traviata, to full-blown orchestral showpieces, such as the splendid sinfonia that opens La forza del destino.

This is one of several special EMI Classics releases marking the bicentenary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi, which will occur on 10 October 2013.

With his questing spirit, Verdi took an often innovative approach to the choral and orchestral components of his operas. In Nabucco, his first great success, the chorus of Hebrew slaves became a protagonist – and its ‘Va, pensiero’ became Italy’s honorary national anthem – while his overtures range from atmospheric introductions, for instance the haunting prelude to La traviata, to full-blown orchestral showpieces, such as the splendid sinfonia that opens La forza del destino.