RSNO: Verdi - Requiem

Verdi’s Requiem is a work of immense scale and dramatic intensity, often described as an opera in liturgical clothing. You will hear the combined forces of two major choruses alongside four vocal soloists, creating a vast range of sound that stretches from the most delicate, hushed whispers of the opening to the thunderous, terrifying brass fanfares and pounding bass drums of the famous Dies Irae. We suggest listening for the way Verdi uses the soprano and mezzo-soprano voices in the Agnus Dei, where their melodies intertwine with a stark, moving simplicity. Throughout the evening, the music moves between moments of deep personal sorrow and grand, collective awe. The structural heart of the piece is the repetition of the judgment theme, which returns to ground the work in a sense of urgent mortality. Rather than a quiet meditation, this is a vivid, visceral exploration of faith and fear, shaped by the composer's characteristic flair for vocal melody and theatrical pacing.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is joined by their own RSNO Chorus and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus for this performance, led by conductor Patrick Hahn. The orchestra is the primary symphonic ensemble for Scotland, known for a wide-ranging repertoire and a strong presence in the nation’s major concert halls. The two choruses bring together a significant number of voices, essential for the scale of this work. Soloists Jennifer Davis, Deniz Uzun, Mario Lerchenberger, and Edwin Crossley-Mercer provide the individual narrative voices, while Paul Whittaker provides BSL interpretation to ensure the performance is accessible to a wider audience.

The performance takes place at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and is scheduled to last approximately 110 minutes. The scale of the orchestration and the dramatic nature of the music make this an excellent choice if you are visiting a choral concert for the first time, as the melodies are direct and highly engaging. There is no specific dress code for this venue, so you should feel comfortable in smart-casual attire. The inclusion of a BSL performer is a specific feature of this event, assisting those who use sign language to follow the sung text.