Issue date: 08 April 2008

Bristol Cathedral 26 April 2008 at 19.30
Wells Cathedral 3 May 2008 at 19.00.
Verdi's spectacular Requiem is to be performed in Bristol and Wells by the combined voices of the University of the West of England Singers and the Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, who will be joined by a line up of professional soloists who have performed internationally. The performances will be at Bristol Cathedral on 26 April at 19.30 and Wells Cathedral on 3 May at 19.00.
They will be accompanied by the seventy strong UWE Symphony Orchestra and will be conducted in Bristol by Ian Holmes and in Wells by Matthew Owens.
Ian Holmes (Acting Head of the Centre for Performing Arts, UWE) says, “The Requiem is Verdi's only large-scale work not composed specifically for the theatrical stage and is an emotionally charged setting of the Catholic funeral mass. The music contains energetic rhythms, evocative melodies and rich harmonies, producing an hour and a half of dramatic musical contrasts.
“These exciting performances will also feature additional instrumental highlights, including off-stage trumpets and perhaps the most famous (and loudest!) bass drum solos in the modern orchestral repertoire. These are performances not to be missed!”
A limited number of tickets will be available on the door.