Giuseppe Verdi | Messa da Requiem: Dies irae (1874)
The Messa da Requiem is a musical setting of the Catholic funeral mass (Requiem) for four soloists, double choir and orchestra by Giuseppe Verdi. It was composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, whom Verdi admired.
1874-05-22 18:00:00 - Verdi
The first performance, at the San Marco church in Milan on 22 May 1874, marked the first anniversary of Manzoni's death. The work was at one time referred to as the Manzoni Requiem.
Considered too operatic to be performed in a liturgical setting, it is usually given in concert form of around 90 minutes in length. Musicologist David Rosen calls it "probably the most frequently performed major choral work composed since the compilation of Mozart's Requiem".
SECTIONS
1. Requiem
Introit (chorus)
Kyrie (soloists, chorus)
2. Dies irae
Dies irae (chorus)
Tuba mirum (chorus)
Mors stupebit (bass)
Liber scriptus (mezzo-soprano, chorus – chorus only in original version)
Quid sum miser (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor)
Rex tremendae (soloists, chorus)
Recordare (soprano, mezzo-soprano)
Ingemisco (tenor)
Confutatis maledictis (bass, chorus)
Lacrymosa (soloists, chorus)
3. Offertory
Domine Jesu Christe (soloists)
Hostias (soloists)
4. Sanctus (double chorus)
5. Agnus Dei (soprano, mezzo-soprano, chorus)
6. Lux aeterna (mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass)
7. Libera me (soprano, chorus)
Libera me
Dies irae
Requiem aeternam
Libera me
PERFORMANCE
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Yannick Nézet-Séguin led a commemorative performance of Verdi’s Requiem, featuring the Met Orchestra and Chorus and soloists Ailyn Pérez, Michelle DeYoung, Matthew Polenzani, and Eric Owens.