Et lux perpetua
Rudolfinum, 4 June 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa da Requiem
Ondrej Lenárd – Conductor
Prague Philharmonic Choir
Celine Byrne – Soprano
Jana Hrochová – Alto
Georgij Vasiljev – Tenor
Štefan Kocán – Bass
Verdi’s amazing Requiem was originally composed to commemorate Italy’s national poet Alessandro Manzoni, and when it was first performed at Milan’s San Marco Church in 1874, it became rather a mainstay of concert halls than cathedrals.
With the frightening images of God’s wrath in “Dies irae”, the monumentality of “Sanctus” and the lyricism of “Agnus Dei”, the opus belongs to “the most operatic” requiem masses in music history.
Fun fact:
Czech opera singer Tereza Stolzová sung the soprano part of Verdi’s Requiem during its premier.
Its performance by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, four excellent soloists and the Prague Philharmonic Choir under principal conductor Ondrej Lenárd promises to be a monumental conclusion to the 91st season.
Ticket prices: 440 / 390 / 350 / 310 / 180 / 100 CZK
