Come and Sing the Verdi Requiem

On Saturday 7th May 2005 around 250 enthusiasts crowded into the Baptist Church, Histon, for a day dedicated to working on the Verdi Requiem with John Rutter.

The day began at 9.30 when Rutter took them through the work in his inimitable way, gently coaxing the very best out of them. They came from near and far, and included a German honeymoon couple, a Norwegian, and a Texan who described the day as the dream of a lifetime. Some were still at school, many were retired; some were professional musicians, but the great majority were amateurs who love singing and eagerly grasped the opportunity to learn from a master.

The Requiem, which has been called Verdi's greatest opera, is a work brimming with emotion and passion. Although more than half those attending had never sung it before, by lunchtime everyone was beginning to master the complex rhythms and dynamics.

After a break in which a hog roast was served at the Red Lion, the choir was joined by an ad hoc orchestra of principals from several local orchestras, and four professional soloists, Rachel Godsill (Soprano), Christine Botes (Alto), Michael McBride (Tenor) and Robert Rice (Bass). There was time for a rehearsal of each number, with the choir building firmly on the morning's work, and then at 5pm a performance for an audience who squeezed into the few remaining seats in the church. Dr Rutter commented afterwards how wonderful it was to be able to spend a day making music simply for the enjoyment of it, and enjoyment was certainly the experience of all who attended.