Verdi Requiem
with Vivace Chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Sunday, 18 May 2014, 19:30
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

In a joint venture with Vivace Chorus, Twickenham Choral Society and the London Philharmonic Choir, a chorus of more than 500 will be joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and four top soloists for a performance of Verdi's mighty and powerful Requiem.

When Gioachino Rossini died in 1868, Verdi suggested that a number of Italian composers should collaborate on a Requiem in Rossini's honor, and began the effort by submitting the conclusion, Libera me. During the next year a Messa per Rossini was compiled by 13 composers, famous at the time, of whom the only one well known today is Verdi himself. The premiere was scheduled for 13 November 1869, the first anniversary of Rossini's death.  However, nine days before the premiere, the organising committee abandoned it and the piece fell into oblivion until 1988, when Helmuth Rilling premiered the complete Messa per Rossini in Stuttgart, Germany.  In the meantime, Verdi kept toying with his Libera me, frustrated that the combined commemoration of Rossini's life would not be performed in his lifetime.  

On 22 May 1873, the Italian writer and humanist Alessandro Manzoni, whom Verdi had admired all his adult life, died. Upon hearing of his death, Verdi resolved to complete a Requiem—this time entirely of his own writing—for Manzoni. Verdi travelled to Paris in June, where he commenced work on the Requiem, giving it the form we know today. It included a revised version of the Libera me originally composed for Rossini.

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