Verdi Requiem

First performed for the memorial of Alessandro Manzoni in 1874, Verdi conducted further performances of the Requiem at Milan’s famous La Scala Opera House shortly after, beginning a 150-year tradition of concert performances.

 

A critic once described the Verdi Requiem as an opera disguised in ecclesiastic robes, the conductor Riccardo Muti says that the piece is really an extended prayer, and Johannes Brahms said: “Only a genius could have written such a work”.

 

Verdi reprises his world-famous Dies Irae theme several times during the Requiem, ensuring that audiences feel the full weight of ‘Judgement Day’, the inevitability of mortality set to his music. In doing so, Verdi forces us to focus on how the living contemplate mortality, rather than a traditional requiem to honour the departed. With that universal theme, Verdi creates musical tension unlike any of his operatic compositions, making for a thrilling ride from the opening bars to the final chords.

 

This performance features Australia’s finest Verdi interpreters performing the solo roles, Perth’s most experienced Symphonic Chorus, accompanied by the best orchestral musicians in the business.