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Concert: Verdi Requiem
Saturday 20th March 2010, 7.30pm
St Andrew's Hall
VERDI Requiem
Claire Seaton (soprano), Kate Symonds-Joy (mezzo-soprano), Richard
Edgar-Wilson (tenor), Jamie Hall (bass),
with the Norwich Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra,
conducted by David Dunnett
Verdi was inspired to write his celebrated setting of the Requiem by the death of the Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni, whom the composer knew and greatly admired. With its terrifying Dies Irae, passionate Libera me, heartfelt Lacrymosa and shimmering lux aeterna, Verdi's intensely dramatic treatment of the mass for the dead seems more at home in the opera house than the church; the rather restrained première in St Mark's Church, Milan on 22 May 1874 - the first anniversary of Manzoni's death - was followed three days later by a tumultuously recived concert performance in La Scala. Verdi's undisputed masterpiece has become a cornerstone of the choral repertoire and the chance to hear it performed live is a glorious opportunity not to be missed!
STOP PRESS - The Norwich Philharmonic has recently been successful in an application for funding for this performance from the BBC's Performing Arts Fund under their Choral Ambition scheme. The award of £2,874 will enable us to set up workshops for young singers who would like take part in this concert, provide training for a young conductor and draw on the expertise of a guest Chorus Master.
If you are a young singer, interested in being part of this exciting opportunity, please contact the Chorus Secretary, Sally West-Lindell, tel 01603 621843 or email