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Verdi the Father showcases the profound emotional depths of Giuseppe Verdi's greatest works centered around the complex dynamics between fathers and their children. Verdi himself experienced devastating personal tragedy when both of his young children died in infancy between 1838-1840, followed soon after by the death of his first wife Margherita at age 26 from encephalitis. This profound loss initially led Verdi to vow never to compose again, until the libretto for Nabucco inspired him to return to music — perhaps as an artistic outlet for processing his grief.

Recognized as one of the greatest opera composers in history, Verdi poured his heart and soul into compositions that repeatedly explored father-daughter relationships. This deeply personal theme appears throughout his masterworks — from the cursed Rigoletto and his beloved Gilda, to the powerful reunion duets in Simon Boccanegra, and the tragic Amonasro-Aida dynamic.

For Plácido Domingo, Verdi has been one of the most important composers throughout his 52-year career, having interpreted virtually every major Verdi tenor role. Now, after many years as one of the greatest tenors in history, Domingo's transition to baritone places him in the unique position to interpret those particular roles where he portrays the father — bringing new depth and understanding to these paternal characters from his own artistic maturity.

This recording represents Domingo's visionary concept to spotlight the great duet moments that illuminate these profound father-child relationships in Verdi's operas. He is joined by an exceptional cast of Operalia laureates including Aida Garifullina, Ana María Martínez, Arturo Chacón Cruz, Elena Stikhina, Guanqun Yu, Joseph Calleja, Nicholas Brownlee, Pavel Petrov, Pretty Yende, and Sonya Yoncheva — major voices from the current international opera scene who honor both the composer's genius and the universal themes that continue to move audiences today.

We hope you’ll join us in embarking on this historic adventure.

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