Requiem settings tend to be high-octane. Composers, like the rest of us, are deeply moved by human loss.

 

Fauré originally composed his celebrated Requiem for a small group of instruments. Nota Bene is delighted to be exploring this version with the distinguished musicians of the Chiesa Ensemble—smaller in scale than the full-orchestra version but no less powerful for that. We have set Puccini’s eloquent (but very short) Requiem alongside it.

 

Purcell’s Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary is saturated in wondrously anguished harmonies. By contrast, “O Sing Unto the Lord” and “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (known from its peals of descending scales as “The Bell Anthem”) are uplifting. These anthems with strings delighted the courtiers of Restoration England. Music lovers in 21st century Wellington will find them equally irresistible.

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Chiesa Ensemble is a professional Wellington-based chamber orchestra that began life in the early part of this century as a small group of friends playing sacred choral works with the Bach Choir of Wellington. Led by Rebecca Struthers, it is made up largely of NZSO  and Orchestra Wellington colleagues. They enjoy many fine collaborations with other Wellington choirs too, providing style-appropriate accompaniment for a large repertoire of works. This is their first appearance with Nota Bene.

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Conducted by Peter Walls

3pm, Sunday 8 July

Sacred Heart Cathedral

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Tickets $30/20 and school children free. Available from Eventfinda and at the door.

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With the support of: