When beloved Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni died, composer Giuseppe Verdi resolved to write a funeral piece that would express the mourning of an entire nation as no other memorial service could: with tubas. With a full horn section and double chorus, Requiem is probably the loudest Mass you will ever attend. Verdi, who was critically savaged in his day by Richard Wagner and his LaRouche-like personality cult, is enjoying a boost of prestige lately in D.C. Two of his other works, Il Trovatore and La Traviata, are being performed by the Virginia Opera and Washington National Opera, respectively, this season—the latter on JumboTron at Nationals Park. Not to be outdone, the Choral Arts Society of Washington will perform Verdi’s masterpiece for its season opener, featuring solo singers Alexandra Deshorties, Stacey Rishoi, Yeghishe Manucharyan, and Kirk Eichelberger.

THE PERFORMANCE BEGINS AT 3 P.M. AT THE KENNEDY CENTER CONCERT HALL, 2700 F ST. NW. $15–$65. (202) 244-3669.