Handel and Haydn Soecity Presents Mozart's Requiem
Distinguished American conductor John Nelson leads the Handel and Haydn Society period-instrument orchestra and chorus in a program of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring his Requiem and Symphony No. 39. The Requiem, written in 1791 and first performed by the Society in Boston in 1828, is one of Mozart’s most powerful and recognized works, one that marked the early classical era for its compelling and emotional impact. Nelson, Music Director of the famed l’Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, makes his first Handel and Haydn appearance in 16 years. Featured performers are Boston audience favorites – the scintillating soprano Christine Brandes and the astonishing young Irish-born mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, who appeared in Handel and Haydn’s 2006 production of Monteverdi’s Orfeo. Tenor Charles Reid and international rising star Bass Alfred Walker make their Handel and Haydn Society debuts.
Mozart’s last composition, The Requiem Mass in D minor, was not complete at the time of his death in 1791. The secrecy surrounding the apparently anonymous commission, the mysterious circumstances of Mozart’s death, the unfinished state of the work, and its completion under the direction of Mozart’s widow Constanze have collectively sparked two centuries of speculation and scholarly debate. Its first performance was at Mozart’s own funeral. An evocative portrait of the young composer confronting his fate, the Requiem in one of the more personal, impassioned and profound of Mozart’s works. Handel and Haydn Society first performed the Requiem in 1828 and Christopher Hogwood led the society’s last performance in 1994. John Nelson will be conducting from the Franz Xaver Süssmayr version.
The choral gem Ave Verum Corpus, a short hymnal motet, is one of the most luminously beautiful and poignant of Mozart’s last works. Merely forty-six measures and three minutes in duration it has been described as nearly perfect in conception and execution. Composed while Mozart was taking a break from writing The Magic Flute to visit his wife Costanze, who was pregnant with their sixth child, it was first performed in Baden, Germany at the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1791.
Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 is one of three extraordinary symphonies (together with Nos. 40 and 41) that were written in the summer of 1788, during the course of about seven weeks. It was a difficult time for Mozart, as his opera Don Giovanni had recently failed in Vienna. The Viennese public were no longer supportive, the Austrian Empire was at war with Turkey, and Mozart and his family had been forced to move to less expensive lodgings in the Vienna suburbs. Why Mozart wrote these works, or if he even heard them performed before his untimely death in 1791 is a question. Symphony No. 39, known for its strength, intricacy and sheer beauty, is undoubtedly one of the finest symphonies ever written. Christopher Hogwood led the Handel and Haydn premiere of the work in 1991.
Mozart: Requiem Mass in D minor, K.626
Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus, K.618
Mozart: Symphony No. 39, K.543
WHO:
John Nelson, conductor
Christine Brandes, soprano
Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano
Alfred Walker, bass
Charles Reid, tenor
Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra and chorus
John Nelson, conductor
Distinguished American conductor, John Nelson, is one of the world's most versatile and accomplished conductors. He is highly regarded not only for his interpretations of large Romantic works and his stylish performances of Baroque music, but also for his vibrant Mozart and Haydn and his devotion to new music. Nelson is Music Director of L'Ensemble orchestral de Paris. He conducts in virtually all the major cities of the world. In America, he has appeared with all the major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and San Francisco. In England, he has conducted the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, the Royal Philharmonic, the Bournemouth Symphony and the Scottish National Orchestra. He has conducted opera in major companies around the world including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the Bastille Opera, Rome Opera, and the Welsh National Opera. Recording has become an increasing activity in Nelson's career, earning such awards as a Grammy for Handel's Semele and a Diapason d'or for Berlioz' Beatrice and Benedict. Nelson made his Handel and Haydn Society debut conducting Handel's Messiah in 1991.
Christine Brandes, soprano
Noted for her radiant, crystalline voice and superb musicianship, soprano Christine Brandes brings her committed artistry to repertoire ranging from the 17th century to newly composed works and enjoys an active career in North America and abroad, performing at many of the world's most distinguished festivals and concert series in programs spanning from recitals and chamber music to oratorio and opera. This season, Ms. Brandes's appearances include her Washington National Opera debut, performances with Sir Simon Rattle and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Jane Glover and the Music of the Baroque, Handel's L'Allegro with the Mark Morris Dance Group and the Seattle Symphony, and Haydn's Mass in the Time of War with Bernard Labadie and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. A frequent guest of Handel and Haydn, she last appeared with the ensemble in 2004 in a program of Baroque duets led by Grant Llewellyn.
Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano
Mezzo-Soprano Paula Murrihy is a native of County Kerry, Ireland. She has participated in many young artist programs including the Britten-Pears Young Artist Program and those at the Tanglewood Music Center, William Walton Foundation and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Operatic engagements have included Boston Lyric Opera, Utah Symphony and Opera, Granite State Opera, and appearances in Monteverdi's Orfeo and the title role in Dido and Aeneas with the Handel and Haydn Society. Concert engagements have included the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Gabrieli Consort, and the Charlotte Symphony. She last appeared with the Society in 2006's performances of Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
Charles Reid, tenor
Charles Reid is being recognized as one of his generation's leading lyric tenors. In the concert field, recent seasons include performances with the Berkshire Choral Festival, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Musica UNAM (Mexico City), Camerata New York, Camerata Vocale Heidelberg, Melanchton Kantorei Mannheim, Philharmonische Chor Siegen, and the Stadt Chor Hamm. In addition to his many seasons with the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Reid has performed throughout the United States on the stages of the San Francisco Opera, Connecticut Opera, Spoleto Festival, L'Opéra Français de New York, Glimmerglass Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Carolina, and Central City Opera. Mr. Reid makes his Handel and Haydn Society debut with these performances.
Alfred Walker, bass
Gaining rapid international and national acclaim for his commanding performances, Alfred Walker has performed with prestigious opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. Operatic engagements include multiple appearances with the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, Los Angeles Opera, La Scala, Vienna Festival, Atlanta Opera, Minnesota Opera, Utah Opera, New Orleans Opera, and San Diego Opera. As a concert artist, he has shared the stage with the Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and American Symphony Orchestra among many others. Mr. Walker's video credits include Metropolitan Opera productions featured on PBS' “Live from Lincoln Center” and he has recorded extensively. He makes his Handel and Haydn Society debut in this program.
