Ely Consort – Cherubini Requiem in C minor – Saturday 12th March, 7.30pm

Cherubini’s magnificent Requiem in C minor was composed for the re-entombment of the French monarchs at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Paris, in 1817. Cherubini was already much in demand as a composer in the capital cities of Europe, and this Requiem enhanced his reputation considerably. Schumann called it ‘unequalled’, Brahms thought it ‘marvellous’, and Berlioz declared it ‘the greatest work of its author’. Beethoven admired the work so much he said it would be his example should he ever write a Requiem of his own; he did not, but Cherubini’s was performed at a Mass for Beethoven shortly after his funeral. The piece is written entirely for choir without soloists, and the dramatic music vividly expresses the full range of emotions in the text.

We will perform this spectacular piece as the centrepiece of our concert, together with a selection of other works by William Harris, Giovanni Bononcini, Williametta Spencer and Ola Gjeilo. 

Conducted by our Musical Director, Matthew Rudd, with organ and string ensemble

Tickets: £18 (unwaged £15) & u16s free – unreserved seating