EIF24, Verdi's Requiem, Usher Hall, Review

Image
Santtu-Matias Rouvali, EIF picture
Rating (out of 5)
4
Show info
Company
Philharmonia Orchestra, Edinburgh Festival Chorus
Production
Verdi, Requiem
Performers
Santtu-Matias Rouvali (conductor), James Grossmith (chorus director), Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo soprano), René Barbera (tenor), Tareq Nazmi (bass).
Running time
90mins

As part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's residency, its Principal Conductor, Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducted. Born in Finland in 1985 he has led the Orchestra for three years. Behind his players were the highly regarded singers of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, directed by James Grossmith. 

Verdi's Requiem is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic funeral mass and we heard it sung in Latin with the English translation transmitted high above the stage. It was designed for a concert performance, rather than for a church service. Much depends upon the four solists and we were particularly fortunate with the evening's lineout. I did, however, find it harder to discern the Latin coming from the bass Tareq Nazmi than from his three colleagues.

It was a rousing performance of an old favourite.

Event: Saturday 24th August 2024 at 8pm