Now completing its 75th anniversary year, the Oratorio…
The Oratorio Society of Queens and the Queens Symphony Orchestra will perform the Verdi “Requiem”at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, in the Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College.
Now completing its 75th anniversary year, the Oratorio Society, under the artistic direction of Maestro David Close, will sing with Maestro Arthur Fagen and the Queens Symphony Orchestra celebrating its 50th anniversary. Professional soloists Ai-Lan Zhu, Hadar Halevi, Eduardo Villa and Alfred Walker will be featured.
The “Messa da Requiem”(a.k.a. the Verdi Requiem) was first performed in 1874. Giuseppe Verdi (1841-1901) wrote this majestic mass in memory of the great Italian novelist Alessandro Manzoni. The mass forms an important part of choral music from the Middle Ages to the present day and “Requiem” is one of the most frequently performed works of the choral repertoire.
Although its premiere took place in a church, it was not meant to be a church service, but a public tribute to his idol Manzoni. Verdi used the ancient words of the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead, a liturgy filled with images of fire, light, darkness, death, Heaven and Hell, the nature of God and eternity — concepts, thoughts and emotions that are universally understood.
Verdi experienced profound emotions of the heart and expressed them passionately in his scores. “Requiem” conjures up the full range of human feelings with a freedom and depth that renders this stunning and intense masterpiece unequaled. In Brahms’ opinion “only a genius could have written such a work,” and it now stands as Verdi’s own memorial to his enlightened artistic genius.
The Oratorio Society of Queens, directed by Maestro David Close, has just completed its 75th Anniversary season, making it the most venerable ongoing performing arts institution in the borough. From its inception in 1927, through the Great Depression, WWII, and to the official Queens Millennium concert to the present day, its 100-plus-member chorus has thrilled untold thousands with professional quality musical events. Maestro David Close is a conductor, concert pianist, organist, music director, former opera coach and teacher. For more information on OSQ go to www.QueensOratorio.org or call 718-279-4842.
Queens Symphony Orchestra’s vision and 50-year mission reflect its priority of service to the Queens community. Queens Symphony, under the musical direction of internationally acclaimed conductor Maestro Arthur Fagen, provides programming of musical excellence celebrating the multi-cultural and musical richness of Queens through its selection of compositions, artistic themes, artists, and by partnering with other community-based arts organizations. For more information on QSO go to www.queenssymphony.org or call 718-326-4455.
The Performing Arts Center at Queensborough Community College is located on 56th Avenue one block east of Springfield Boulevard in Bayside. Parking is free on the main lot adjacent to the theater, which offers easy-access entry. Ticket prices at the box office are $25 orchestra; $20 balcony; $18.50 seniors and students with ID; $10 children 12 and under.
