Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra & Bradford Festival Choral Society

A choral and orchestral masterpiece of overwhelming drama, Verdi’s Messa da Requiem comes to St George’s Hall in a powerful large-scale performance from Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra and Bradford Festival Choral Society.

Verdi’s Requiem combines the emotional force of opera with the scale and intensity of a monumental choral work. From the terrifying eruption of the Dies Irae to moments of profound stillness and tenderness, the work moves through fear, grief, hope and transcendence with extraordinary immediacy.

The choir returns to one of the great pillars of the choral repertoire conducted by Thomas Leech, this landmark performance forms part of Bradford Festival Choral Society’s 170th season, bringing together over 130 singers, professional soloists and the full forces of Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra., 

Whether hearing it for the first time or returning to a much-loved masterpiece, audiences can expect an evening of extraordinary power, intensity and emotional depth.

Conductor: Thomas Leech 

Bradford Festival Choral Society have a great historic connection with St George’s Hall. The choir was founded in 1856, after being put together as a temporary group for the hall’s opening in 1853. With around 140 singers, the choir is directed by Thomas Leech, and programmes include the classic choral works that are such an important part of the choir’s heritage while also exploring exciting new music by living composers.
 

Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble proud of its Yorkshire roots and heritage and is constantly striving to be an artistic voice for the North of England. Under the artistic direction of Ben Crick, the orchestra has quickly established itself as an exciting presence in the region’s musical life. A reincarnation of an ensemble that disbanded in the 1950s, it has, in the two years since its rebirth, performed concerts with Lesley Garrett, Wynne Evans, Sir Willard White and Aled Jones. Comprising some of the north of England’s finest orchestral musicians, and with a passion for collaboration both with musical ensembles and across other art forms, Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra seeks to become a regular fixture in concert seasons and cultural events throughout the region for years to come.