BRITTEN: War Requiem
But the old man would not so, but slew his son, - And half the seed of Europe, one by one
Ely Cathedral, Saturday 15th July 2006 at 7.30pm
Conductors: Tim Redmond and Gerry Cornelius
Soloists: Maureen Brathwaite (Soprano), Mark Wilde (Tenor), Neal Davies (Baritone)
The Cambridge Philharmonic Society is proud to present its final concert of the season. A massive choral work featuring poems by Wilfred Owen interspersed with the Latin text of the Requiem Mass, the piece was originally written by Britten to illustrate the horrors of war and in memory of three of his friends killed in the Second World War. The Requiem was commissioned for the reconsecration of Coventry Cathedral, and first performed in the new Cathedral on 30 May 1962.
The Requiem contains a full symphony and a chamber orchestra (hence the need for two conductors), chorus, boys' chorus, and soprano, tenor and baritone soloists. As it was written to be performed inside the new Basil Spence Cathedral, the piece presented a particular acoustic challenge for Britten and is well showcased in Ely Cathedral.
We are glad to welcome back Maureen Brathwaite as soprano and look forward to performing for the first time with Mark Wilde and Neal Davies. The concert will be conducted by Timothy Redmond (our new music director for the next season) and Gerry Cornelius.
Tickets: £20 £15 £10 £5 from the Cambridge Arts Box Office (01223 503333) or the Ely Cathedral Box Office (01353 660349)
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