Review: Verdi’s Requiem at Birmingham Symphony Hall
Monday 26th September 2011, 11:52AM BST.
Verdi’s Requiem
CBSO and Chorus, Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Concert review by John Watson
The new season of concerts by the CBSO opened in sensational style with one of the most exciting works in the repertoire, Verdi’s Requiem.
Despite being a religious work, its mood simply blazes with operatic passion.
Conductor Andris Nelsons, music director of the CBSO, made full use of the dynamic character of the work. After the sublime opening section, he unleashed the full force of the expanded orchestra and CBSO Chorus with a vengeance in the Dies Irae.
Under Nelsons’ direction it was positively volcanic, and the power and clarity of the chorus was a joy to hear.
The emotional intensity was maintained throughout and there were fine contributions from the soloists.
Bass Jan Martinik’s rich voice was captivating and soprano Kristine Opolais managed to maintain just enough power as the full forces of the orchestra and chorus were unleashed.
Mihoko Fujimura, though an accomplished mezzo, was only disappointing in her duet with Opolais, where the tone colour of her lower notes blended uncomfortably with the soprano.
Overall, however, this was a spectacular performance and yet another musical triumph for Nelsons.
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