A Verdi Year

I am not partial to Verdi, whose music seldom rises to the second rate—yet it looks like we have a Verdi year ahead of us, what with five Verdi operas on our schedule.

First up is “Nabucco” at Minnesota Opera in September.

Next up is “Simon Boccanegra” at Lyric Opera Of Chicago in November.

The third Verdi opera of the season will be “Falstaff” at University Of Minnesota Opera Theatre, also in November.

Penultimate Verdi will be “Il Trovatore” at Minnesota Concert Opera in January.

Last will be “Rigoletto” at Lyric Opera Of Chicago in March.

I am trying to get Joshua to listen to some recordings of Verdi operas.

He is resisting. He likes Verdi even less than I.

For someone living in Minnesota, the opportunity to hear five Verdi operas in a single season without traveling any significant distance is rare. We must take advantage, however unenthusiastic we may be.