A Night of Verdi “REQUIEM”
14 & 15 May, 8 pm
Hanoi Opera House
Organizer: Vietnam National Opera & Ballet
Performers/singers: Joanna Weeks – Soprano, Alexandra Cassidy – Mezzo Soprano, Edward Hughes – Tenor, James Cleverton – Baritone.
When Rossini died in 1868, Verdi proposed that a Requiem should be written in honour of the great man. Thirteen leading Italian composers, including himself, would each be invited to contribute a movement. Somewhat predictably, initial enthusiasm for the idea soon gave way to all sorts of professional rivalries, and when it also became clear that the piece would be little more than an unconvincing pot-pourri, the scheme had to be abandoned.
In 1873 the Italian poet, novelist and national hero Alessandro Manzoni died. Verdi had been a lifelong admirer and was deeply affected by his death. He decided to write a Requiem in Manzoni’s memory, and began by re-working the Libera me which he had composed five years earlier for the ill-fated Rossini project. Though it is Verdi’s only large-scale work not intended for the stage, the Requiem is unashamedly theatrical in style, with passages of great tenderness and simplicity contrasting with intensely dramatic sections. Writing at the time, the eminent conductor and pianist Hans von Bülow aptly described it as ‘Verdi’s latest opera, in church vestments’.
The first performance of the Messa di Requiem took place on 22nd May 1874, the first anniversary of Manzoni’s death, in St. Mark’s Church, Milan. Special permission had to be obtained from the Archbishop for the inclusion of the female choristers. The second performance three days later, at La Scala Opera House, was received by the capacity crowd with tumultuous enthusiasm. The Requiem became an overnight sensation, and was equally ecstatically received at the many European performances that soon followed. One journalist described the work as ‘the most beautiful music for the church that has been produced since the Requiem of Mozart’ – a view that was echoed by most people.
Tickets
Ticket price: 200000, 300000, 400000, 500000 VND
All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House, or with the free delivery service below:
www.ticketvn.com
[email protected]
0913489858 (Mr. Do Phuong)
0983067996
1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Tel: 84.04.(39330113/4 – 39330131/2) www.cinet.gov.vn/Websitenganh/nhahatlon1/Default.htm [email protected]