Mozart's Requiem

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was only 35 years old when he died, in the midst of composing his Requiem in D minor. In his delirious final moments, the composer is said to have believed he was writing his own funeral mass. The piece had to be completed by his students, based on Mozart’s instructions.

During the Festival, Mozart’s masterpiece will be performed by boys' choirs from across Norway. In total, around 250 young male singers will take the stage.

'As an instrument, the boy’s voice is distinct, and this concert is a unique opportunity to hear a sound that was more common in the 17th and 18th centuries,' says chorus master Håkon Matti Skrede.

All four soloists are also men. The conductor is Jan Willem de Vriend, artistic partner of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and known for his special affinity with the Viennese classical repertoire. In recent years, he has conducted several of Mozart’s symphonies with the orchestra.

'With the energy the boys' choirs bring, I believe we could light up a medium-sized city. The music is intuitive and captivating, showcasing Mozart’s genius, and the boys love singing it! And when they perform, there’s a tension and vitality that you can both feel and hear,' says Skrede.

Photo: BERRE Kommunikasjon

Introductory talk: Boys will be boys?

Wednesday 28 May at 17:30 in Spissen. Doors open at 17:00.

Before the concert, there will be an introductory conversation in collaboration with Generasjon – a festival on ageing, focusing on the ageing and health of boys and men, as well as the importance of singing.

The panel features Girson Dias, manager of the community organisation Femti-71, chorus master Håkon Matti Skrede, Professor at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Vegard Fykse Skirbekk, and a singer from one of the boys’ choirs participating in Mozart’s Requiem. The conversation will be moderated by Trond-Viggo Torgersen.

• Admission: Free with a ticket to the 19:00 concert

• Language: The conversation will be held in Norwegian

A collaboration between the Bergen International Festival and Generasjon – a festival on ageing.

The introduction is part of the Festival’s debate programme Ordskifte and is supported by Fritt Ord.

Contributors

• Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

• Jan Willem De Vriend conductor

• Philipp Mathmann soprano

• Adrian Angelico mezzosoprano

• Guy Cutting tenor

• Mikhail Timoshenko bass

• Nidarosdomen Boys Choir

• Sølvguttene

• Bislett Boys Choir

• Collegium Vocale Boys

• Kristiansand Cathedral Boys Choir

• Vanse Boys Choir Deo Gloria

• Edvard Grieg Boys Choir

Music by

• Mozart

Works

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) 
  Requiem in D minor, KV626

Supported by