Prom 1 - Verdi Requiem (15.07.22)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

First Night of the Proms 2022
19:30 Friday 15 July 2022 (ON TV)
Royal Albert Hall

Giuseppe Verdi: Requiem


Giuseppe Verdi had a complicated relationship with religion: he asked to be buried with just ‘one priest, one candle, one cross’. But as a born dramatist, he knew how to tell a great story – and his colossal Requiem encompasses death, rebirth and the end of the world itself, in music that simply blazes with passion and power. Now, in the vast spaces of the Royal Albert Hall, Sakari Oramo assembles two choruses, a multinational team of solo singers (including 2021 Cardiff Singer of the World Song Prize winner Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha) and the full forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and prepares to raise the roof. A truly spectacular First Night of the 2022 BBC Proms.


Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha soprano
Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano
Freddie De Tommaso tenor
Kihwan Sim bass-baritone
BBC Symphony Chorus
Crouch End Festival Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Here we are at last. A full programme of Henry Wood Promenade concerts, launched by this wonderful work.

[BBMmk2]

All the best for this first full season, in a couple of years!

[Cockney Sparrow]

I'm looking forward to this, and have booked the living room with our best sound system for the whole performance (uninterrupted unless there is a fire or medical emergency).

I'm interested to hear Freddie De Tommaso - IIRC he is inspired by Franco Corelli, so it may be none too subtle but I'll at least hear what he is made of vocally, in relation to the considerable excitement generated by his appearance on the scene.
A friend who heard Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha reckons she is in the Leontyne Price mould - again, a good chance to hear. Jennifer J is a reliable performer.

All in all should be a great start to the season - and I don't have to trek to South Ken. to experience it! (With the rail strikes likely to ambush travel plans, I'm glad I haven't committed by buying what the Proms planner saw fit to offer me........).

[LHC]

I'm looking forward to this, and have booked the living room with our best sound system for the whole performance (uninterrupted unless there is a fire or medical emergency).

I'm interested to hear Freddie De Tommaso - IIRC he is inspired by Franco Corelli, so it may be none too subtle but I'll at least hear what he is made of vocally, in relation to the considerable excitement generated by his appearance on the scene.
A friend who heard Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha reckons she is in the Leontyne Price mould - again, a good chance to hear. Jennifer J is a reliable performer.

All in all should be a great start to the season - and I don't have to trek to South Ken. to experience it! (With the rail strikes likely to ambush travel plans, I'm glad I haven't committed by buying what the Proms planner saw fit to offer me........).

Hopefully BBC4 HD will have returned to Freeview by next Friday.

[Pulcinella]

Hopefully BBC4 HD will have returned to Freeview by next Friday.

The First Night is on BBC2:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5LWXYGqfNgF1HVvnmsdPVpN/proms-2022-whats-on-tv

[LHC]

The First Night is on BBC2:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...22-whats-on-tv

Ah yes, of course. Thanks for the reminder.

[Keraulophone]

…have booked the living room with our best sound system for the whole performance (uninterrupted…

I wish!

[Pulcinella]

Freddie De Tommaso (tenor) has been replaced by David Jung-hoon Kim.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/first-night-of-the-proms-star-tenor-cancels-due-to-covid-x0b3lqcz3?shareToken=888ec678813774c1cdc4962b844d2597

[oddoneout]

The First Night is on BBC2:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...22-whats-on-tv

As it should be, but I must have misheard more than one of the R3 ads as I was sure they said BBC4. It stuck in my mind because my reaction was " for heaven's sake why not on BBC1 or 2?" Given that so many people seem to get drawn into "classical" music by hearing something from the big name/big sound opera repertoire Verdi's Requiem might have a similar appeal, if the Requiem bit can be got past although association with a famous funeral might help on that front - but not if it's tucked away on BBC4.

[LHC]

Freddie De Tommaso (tenor) has been replaced by David Jung-hoon Kim.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f...c4962b844d2597

Covid has also been decimating casts at the Opera House of late. Last night’s performance of Cav & Pag saw two more late withdrawals. Aigul Akhmetshina Had to be replaced as Lola, and Fabio Sartori, who was Kaufmann’s replacement, also had to withdraw and was replaced by Marco Berti as Canio. Covid was given as the reason for both Kaufmann’s and Sartori’s withdrawal.

In addition, Joseph Calleja has now withdrawn from next week’s performances of Attila, to be replaced by Stefan Pop.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Covid has also been decimating casts at the Opera House of late. Last night’s performance of Cav & Pag saw two more late withdrawals. Aigul Akhmetshina Had to be replaced as Lola, and Fabio Sartori, who was Kaufmann’s replacement, also had to withdraw and was replaced by Marco Berti as Canio. Covid was given as the reason for both Kaufmann’s and Sartori’s withdrawal.

In addition, Joseph Calleja has now withdrawn from next week’s performances of Attila, to be replaced by Stefan Pop.

I wish them all well for a speedy recovery. At this rate we will have a temporary tenor shortage with many of the worlds best all ill at the same time. I heard Calleja at a charity concert a few weeks ago in Wareham where he revealed he’s singing Parsifal for the first time next year . He also sang superbly from Rienzi. He really has a most charming stage presence and sang magnificently.

I was really looking to Freddie singing tonight but they have found an excellent sub.
I’ve got mixed feelings about the Verdi as an opener . It’s just not a work I warm to even though I love Verdi. Also as the start of a festival in a year that has been , shall we say, not without its ups and downs , it doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing. But then with the exception of Mozart and Fauré I’ve got a bit of a Requiem blind spot.

[oddoneout]

I wish them all well for a speedy recovery. At this rate we will have a temporary tenor shortage with many of the worlds best all ill at the same time. I heard Calleja at a charity concert a few weeks ago in Wareham where he revealed he’s singing Parsifal for the first time next year . He also sang superbly from Rienzi. He really has a most charming stage presence and sang magnificently.

I was really looking to Freddie singing tonight but they have found an excellent sub.
I’ve got mixed feelings about the Verdi as an opener . It’s just not a work I warm to even though I love Verdi. Also as the start of a festival in a year that has been , shall we say, not without its ups and downs , it doesn’t exactly set the pulse racing. But then with the exception of Mozart and Fauré I’ve got a bit of a Requiem blind spot.

Yes, starting with an ending, which is what a requiem is (at least partly depending on one's viewpoint and beliefs) does seem rather odd, but on the other hand it has drama, noise and tunes enough to override that aspect.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yes, starting with an ending, which is what a requiem is (at least partly depending on one's viewpoint and beliefs) does seem rather odd, but on the other hand it has drama, noise and tunes enough to override that aspect.

At least it’s not the German Requiem - I don’t think I’m physically capable of sitting through that again. Whereas Mozart …now that’s a Requiem ..

[oddoneout]

At least it’s not the German Requiem - I don’t think I’m physically capable of sitting through that again. Whereas Mozart …now that’s a Requiem ..

I share your view. I was fortunate enough to be able to play it several times (small orchestra,small choir, in country churches rather than "concert venues") before I came to sing it, and it continues to be a joy. Whether a "Come and Sing" or a fully prepared concert performance doesn't matter, not least as the pleasure (and solace on occasion) it brings to audiences is so rewarding.