The Messa da Requiem is a musical setting of the
Catholic funeral mass (Requiem) for four soloists,
double choir and orchestra by Giuseppe Verdi. It was
composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian
poet and novelist whom Verdi admired. The first
performance, at the San Marco church in Milan on 22 May
1874, marked the first anniversary of Manzoni's death.
The work was at one time called the Manzoni Requiem. It
is rarely performed in liturgy, but rather in concert
form of around 85–90 mi...(+)
The Messa da Requiem is a musical setting of the
Catholic funeral mass (Requiem) for four soloists,
double choir and orchestra by Giuseppe Verdi. It was
composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian
poet and novelist whom Verdi admired. The first
performance, at the San Marco church in Milan on 22 May
1874, marked the first anniversary of Manzoni's death.
The work was at one time called the Manzoni Requiem. It
is rarely performed in liturgy, but rather in concert
form of around 85–90 minutes in length. Musicologist
David Rosen calls it 'probably the most frequently
performed major choral work composed since the
compilation of Mozart's Requiem'.
"Lux Aeterna" (Eternal Light) is the closing words of
the Messa da Requiem replacing the blessing of the
congregation used in the
regular Mass, iterating once more the concerns for
perpetual light and rest for those who have died. The
Mozart and Cherubini versions append this portion to
the "Agnus Dei"; Berlioz omits it in order to repeat a
part of his Introit. Verdi makes it a separate
movement, an intimate and loving farewell to the
saintly figure of Manzoni. The chorus and solo soprano
do not sing here; Verdi reserves them for the last
movement.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Requiem_(Verdi)).
Although originally created for Voice & Orchestra, I
created this Arrangement of the "Lux Aeterna" from
"Messa da Requiem" (IGV 24 No. 6) for Oboe & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
SHEET MUSIC