AN EVENING OF HIGH DRAMA AND THRILLS – VERDI REQUIEM
| Type of post: | Choir news item |
| Sub-type: | Choir News |
| Posted By: | Jenny Lloyd |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Wed, 20 Mar 2024 |
EXETER CATHEDRAL, 16 MARCH 2024
An expectant atmosphere of high drama filled Exeter Cathedral on Saturday16 March when some 200 musicians assembled to perform one of music’s greatest choral works, Verdi’s extraordinary Requiem. The members of Exeter Philharmonic Choir were joined by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, four magnificent soloists and a group of guest singers, all under the direction of Howard Ionascu.
The Requiem is a work of great contrasts, from thrills and thunder to sublime lyricism and sensitivity, and all the performers excelled in conveying the drama and beauty of the work. Tickets for the concert had sold out two months in advance and afterwards messages poured in from audience members full of praise for ‘such a memorable night’.
For our independent reviewer David Batty, ‘the EPC singers were in fine voice, with director Howard Ionascu bringing out the best of them. And what a privilege to be accompanied in a major choral work by such a secure and responsive orchestra as the BSO.’ He adds that ‘the Dies irae’s picture of the day of wrath came over thrillingly, with the choir’s energetic singing spurred on by a fine bass drum and superb orchestral brass.’ He praises the way the soloists – Judith Howarth (soprano), Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano), Oliver Johnston (tenor) and Ossian Huskinson (bass) – and choir combined effectively in the dramatic contrasts of the Rex tremendae, and highlights the ‘attractive lilt’ the choir brought to its performance of the Sanctus after the interval.
He concludes: ‘The performance rightly attracted much acclaim from the capacity audience. For both them and the performers it was a memorable evening.’
David Batty’s full review can be found here: www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=pastevents
An expectant atmosphere of high drama filled Exeter Cathedral on Saturday16 March when some 200 musicians assembled to perform one of music’s greatest choral works, Verdi’s extraordinary Requiem. The members of Exeter Philharmonic Choir were joined by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, four magnificent soloists and a group of guest singers, all under the direction of Howard Ionascu.
The Requiem is a work of great contrasts, from thrills and thunder to sublime lyricism and sensitivity, and all the performers excelled in conveying the drama and beauty of the work. Tickets for the concert had sold out two months in advance and afterwards messages poured in from audience members full of praise for ‘such a memorable night’.
For our independent reviewer David Batty, ‘the EPC singers were in fine voice, with director Howard Ionascu bringing out the best of them. And what a privilege to be accompanied in a major choral work by such a secure and responsive orchestra as the BSO.’ He adds that ‘the Dies irae’s picture of the day of wrath came over thrillingly, with the choir’s energetic singing spurred on by a fine bass drum and superb orchestral brass.’ He praises the way the soloists – Judith Howarth (soprano), Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano), Oliver Johnston (tenor) and Ossian Huskinson (bass) – and choir combined effectively in the dramatic contrasts of the Rex tremendae, and highlights the ‘attractive lilt’ the choir brought to its performance of the Sanctus after the interval.
He concludes: ‘The performance rightly attracted much acclaim from the capacity audience. For both them and the performers it was a memorable evening.’
David Batty’s full review can be found here: www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=pastevents
