School of Music Concert Choir Joins BSO Onstage for Britten’s War Requiem: Monumental Work Celebrates Composer’s 100th Birthday

School of Music Concert Choir

UMD Concert Choir photo by Mike Ciesielski
 

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the UMD School of Music’s Concert Choir will combine voices to perform Benjamin Britten’s moving anti-war masterpiece, The War Requiem on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 8PM and Friday, November 15, 2013 at 8PM in the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 8PM at the Music Center at Strathmore.

Under the direction of Dr. Edward Maclary, SOM’s Director of Choral Activities, the ensemble has established an international reputation for performance excellence. The choir was awarded the Premier Prix for Mixed Choirs and the Prix Ronsard for Renaissance signing at the Florilège Vocal de Tours in France. Since 2003 they have collaborated regularly with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Britten wrote the War Requiem for the re-consecration of Coventry Cathedral after it was destroyed during the World War II Battle of Britain. Britten’s magnum opus was originally performed at the cathedral on May 30, 1962 in the midst of the wreckage of the millennium-old structure.

Maclary said, “We are honored to be part of a performance so meaningful. It is a privilege to share the stage with the BSO for the centerpiece of their 2013-2014 season.”

The War Requiem performances commemorate Britten’s 100th birthday on November 22, 1913. Tickets are available at the BSO’s website here.