Press release
2 September 2014
NEW EDITION OF MOZART’S UNFINISHED REQUIEM GIVEN UK PREMIERE BY OPERA NORTH
A newly completed version of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, by German composer and musical academic Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs,will be given its UK premiere by Opera Norththis October.
Mozart’s Requiem (K.626) is one of the most famous and widely performed pieces of choral music, but mystery and intrigue surrounds the composer’s final work. Left incomplete following Mozart’s early death at the age of 35,the first version was quickly completed by his pupil, Süssmayr, and some parts of it were performed at Mozart’s own funeral in 1791. As a result of dissatisfaction with Süssmayr’s additions, several versions of the Requiem exist today, with many composers and academics creating their own interpretation of the missing parts.
Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs is a highly respected musicologist and conductor who has also supplied a finale to Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony and a finished version of Mozart’s C minor Mass.Cohrs’ new edition of the Mozart Requiem received its world premiere in Germanyin 2013.
The full-strength Chorus and Orchestraof Opera Northwill perform Cohrs’ new completion of Mozart’s Requiem in two concerts at Huddersfield Town Hall (Thu 2 Oct) andLeeds Town Hall (Sun 26 Oct). Dutch maestroJac van Steenconducts this new version for the first time. The music director of the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, he returns to work with the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North following recent appearances with the Company conducting main stage opera productions of Britten’s Peter Grimes(2013).
In addition to the Requiem, the concerts will also include the Prelude to Act I from Wagner’s opera Lohengrin and Sibelius’ Symphony No.4 in A minor. Soloists include the young Irish sopranoAoife O’Sullivan,mezzo soprano Rosie Aldridge,tenorRupert Charlesworth and bass-baritoneMatthew Brook.
Opera North’s General Director, Richard Mantle said:
“I am delighted that Opera North will be performing the British premiere of a new edition of Mozart’s Requiem by internationally respected musicologistBenjamin-Gunnar Cohrs. Opera North has a strong reputation for bringing itsinnovativeapproach of theclassical repertoire to the concert halls of the North. We are sure that through this new interpretation, audiences will discover fresh insights into Mozart’s masterpiece performed by our world-class Chorus and Orchestra.”
/ENDS
Listings:
MOZART REQUIEM –Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North / Jac van Steen
The joint forces of the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North are conducted by maestro Jac van Steen in a programme that features a new completion of Mozart’s Requiem by Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs, Sibelius's Fourth Symphony and the Prelude to Wagner's opera Lohengrin.
HuddersfieldTown Hall
Thu 2 Oct, 7.30pm
Tickets: £8 - £24
Box Office: 01484 221900
kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls
LeedsTown Hall
Sun 26 Oct, 7.30pm
Tickets: £16 - £31.50
Box Office: 0113 224 3801
leedstownhall.co.uk
For further information or images, please contact:
Julia Gregg, Press & PR Manager
0113 223 3526 | 07956 647 573 |
Sian Dudley, Press Officer
0113 223 3528 |
Molly Fetherston, Communications Assistant
0113 223 3590 |