May 22

The Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini, was officially inaugurated in May 1762 in Rome. Commissioned by Pope Clement XII, the fountain stands at the terminus of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, featuring a grand façade with mythological sculptures. Its central figure of Oceanus, flanked by tritons and allegorical figures, embodies the Baroque fascination with movement and drama. The fountain quickly became a gathering place for Romans and visitors alike, renowned for its beauty and engineering. Tradition holds that tossing a coin into its waters ensures a return to Rome, a custom that endures to this day.

Giuseppe Verdi composed his Requiem to honor Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni. It was first performed in the ornate setting of San Marco in Milan on May 22, 1874. The work combines operatic drama with liturgical solemnity in seven movements. Verdi's score features powerful choral sections and solo passages that evoke both mourning and spiritual transcendence. The premiere established the Requiem as a cornerstone of the sacred music repertoire. Audiences and critics praised its emotional depth and structural mastery. Verdi's Requiem has since become one of the most celebrated and frequently performed works in classical music.