Vasily Petrenko conducts Britten's War Requiem
Lyubov Petrova Soprano
Andrew Staples Tenor
Dietrich Henschel Baritone
Philharmonia Chorus
Part of British Choral Masterworks at the Royal Albert Hall
Sixty years after its premiere at the consecration of Coventry's new Cathedral in 1962, Britten's War Requiem is still powerful, using music and words to explore the futility of war and memorialise its victims.
Britten was a pacifist and conscientious objector during World War II, and he used poetry written by Wilfred Owen during the First World War alongside the words of the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead to create his Requiem. Sung in this performance by soloists from Russia, Britain and Germany, as Britten intended for the premiere, the War Requiem serves as an important reminder of the power that music has to transform, transcend and heal.
'With poised contributions from across the orchestra ... everything felt just right. Petrenko incisively peeled away the bombast and uncovered the delicacy as well as the drama of the music.' The Times
Please note that there will be no interval during this concert.
Please collect your ticket from the Box Office, accessed from Door 12.
Royal Albert Hall
For more than seven decades the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been at the forefront of music-making in the UK. The Orchestra's regular performances at its London home Cadogan Hall are complemented by a distinguished series at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, a hugely popular series at the Royal Albert Hall and frequent visits to its seven principal residencies across the UK. With a wider reach than any other UK large ensemble, the RPO has truly become Britain's national orchestra.
www.rpo.co.ukThis Event is at Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning.
www.royalalberthall.com