Hellfire and deliverance: A guided tour of Verdi’s Requiem - 13

“Only a genius could have written such a work,” said Brahms of Verdi’s Requiem. Indeed, this monumental piece includes some of the most powerful, joyful, terrifying, heartrending, and sublime music ever written, with all the drama and emotion we would expect from one of our most beloved opera composers. Who are the characters, what are they singing about, and how does the music illustrate the text? We will begin with some background on Verdi and a brief overview of the historical, cultural, and musical context in which he wrote this unusual setting of the mass for the dead. Then we will listen to the music together, highlighting key elements and sharing reactions. We will also watch the documentary Defiant Requiem, which tells the powerful true story of Jewish prisoners in a WWII concentration camp who sang this piece to uplift their spirits and defy their captors. Whether you are an old fan of classical choral music, or you’ve never stepped inside a concert hall, this is for you!

Hellfire and Deliverance: A Guided Tour of Verdi’s Requiem
Elke Jahns-Harms, Tufts Faculty Member
4 Tuesdays, 10am – 12pm (3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8)
This class will be held in-person at Brookhaven at Lexington.