Verdi’s monumental and altogether ravishing “Requiem” is a signature work of Maestro Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Their recording of the great operatic mass was the winner of two Grammy Awards (Best Classical Album and Best Choral Performance) in 2010.

But in light of the recent horrific plague of senseless shootings that have ravaged this country’s schools, houses of worship and entertainment venues, Thursday night’s performance of “Requiem” at the Symphony Center brought even greater potency and fire to this work, which was written to honor two of Verdi’s most cherished fellow artists: composer Gioachino Rossini and poet and novelist Alessandro Mancini.