Concert

Verdi, Requiem

Saturday 15 June 2024, 7:30 pm

Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

To celebrate the 150^th anniversary of its first performance, the Oxford Bach Choir will be performing Verdi’s enthralling setting of the Requiem Mass.

Verdi was through and through an opera composer, and his setting of the Requiem could hardly be more theatrical – indeed it has sometimes been described as ‘opera without the costumes’ (with a considerably larger part for the chorus than in most operas!). There can surely be no more vivid – even terrifying – evocation of the Day of Judgement than Verdi’s setting of the Dies Irae; but there is joy and ecstasy here too, with angelic choirs praising God, gloriously fervent writing for the four soloists, thrilling moments of pianissimo, and enormous climaxes.

It should be an evening to remember!