Events Calendar
Verdi Messa da Requiem
Verity Wingate soprano
tbc mezzo-soprano
Alexei Dolgov tenor
Alistair Miles bass
Richard Cooke conductor
Royal Choral Society
Celebrating 150 years since the choir gave the UK premiere with the composer himself conducting, the Royal Choral Society performs Verdi’s Requiem.
Referred to as Verdi’s ‘greatest opera without a stage’, this is religious music from the pen of the master of Italian opera and he certainly didn’t let the conventions of sacred choral music hold him back from writing one of the most thrilling choral works in western classical music. His mixing of the sacred and the theatrical into a work of such scale and drama caused some scandal at the time, and it was considered unsuitable for use within religious services.
With its fearful, whispered opening leading into the thunderous drums, blazing trumpets and terrified chorus of the Dies Irae, the beginning of Verdi’s choral masterpiece leaves us in no doubt that it’s judgement day. But alongside the tumult, Verdi made space for sacred reflection, with music of exquisite beauty and quiet serenity that offer us a glimpse of his perception of heaven.
Tickets
| Sat 18 October | 7.30 | £15-£36 | Book |
