ROME (AP) — Maestro Riccardo Muti is conducting Verdi’s Requiem Mass in northeastern Italy to mark the 100th anniversary of World War I’s outbreak in Europe and honor its millions of war dead.

The Italian orchestra conductor has called the musical tribute Sunday night at the Redipuglia monument to WWI dead a “message of reconciliation.”

Italy’s Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra was performing with musicians from other countries in what Muti has described as an “expression of musical harmony” and peace.

Italy’s president was among those attending the performance.

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