Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ concert

Australia-based conductor Umberto Clerici returns to Dunedin this month to lead the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, soloists, City Choir Dunedin and members of Choirs Aotearoa Otago-Southland Choir in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem.

The concert, to be held next Saturday, August 24, from 7.30pm at Dunedin Town Hall, will also feature Anthony Ritchie’s Remember Parihaka and Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 "Paris".

In 1791, soon after Mozart starting to compose the requiem, he began to experience "strange thoughts", and began to fear he was writing a requiem for his owndeath.

The result is a moving piece, with passages of fearful angst and resolute acceptance.

Joining Clerici, the orchestra, and choirs on stage for the performance will be leading New Zealand vocal soloists Emma Pearson (soprano), Maaike Christie-Beekman (alto), Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono (tenor), and Wade Kernot (bass).