GIUSEPPE VERDI

31st LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN EASTER FESTIVAL 

PROGRAMME

GIUSEPPE VERDI
Requiem

PERFORMERS

Conductor YOEL GAMZOU
Soprano GABRIELA LEGUN
Mezzo-soprano JASMIN WHITE
Tenor GIOVANNI SALA
Bass HUBERT KOWALCZYK

Chorus and Orchestra of the Polish National Opera 

When it comes to Verdi interpreters, few conductors have left such a distinctive mark as Carlo Maria Giulini (1914–2005). He led the legendary performances of La traviata with Maria Callas at Milan's La Scala, Falstaff in Los Angeles, and Don Carlos at London's Covent Garden. Towards the end of his life, however, Verdi’s Requiem took a special place in the Italian maestro’s repertoire and became a kind of his artistic signature. Now, Yoel Gamzou will conduct this piece in tribute to his teacher and mentor. 

The circumstances of the work's creation were equally personal. The death of Gioachino Rossini in 1868 prompted Verdi to propose a joint funeral mass to be composed by 13 Italian composers. The project was never realised, but Verdi's contribution, Libera me, became the starting point for a new work. The final impetus came with the death of Alessandro Manzoni, an outstanding writer greatly admired by the composer. Messa da Requiem was first performed on 22 May 1874 at the Church of San Marco in Milan, on the anniversary of Manzoni’s death. Verdi conducted it himself.

In his Requiem, Verdi expressed not only mourning, but also anger, anxiety, and protest against human fate. It is no wonder that the work’s dramatic, almost operatic character sparked controversy. Religious conservatives admired its musical grandeur, but criticised the composer for taking too theatrical an approach to the liturgical text. It is precisely this emotional load that gives the work its exceptional power as it transitions from the terror and abruptness of the Dies irae to the pain-filled Lacrymosa to the poignant clarity of the Agnus Dei and Quid sum miser. It is a musical journey from fear to hope to solace. 

When interpreting this monumental work, Yoel Gamzou will be joined by soprano Gabriela Legun, mezzo-soprano Jasmin White, tenor Giovanni Sala, and bass Hubert Kowalczyk. They will be accompanied by the Chorus and Orchestra of the Polish National Opera, for this musical ritual of remembrance calls not only for powerful emotions, but also for a community of voices.