Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Britten's War Requiem

Tickets are on sale now for Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) performances of Britten's War Requiem.

Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Nov. 8-10 and at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. in Dallas. Performances will feature music director Jaap van Zweden, soprano Olga Guryakova, tenor Ian Bostridge, and baritone Dietrich Henschel, the Dallas Symphony Chorus under the direction of Joshua Habermann, with the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas, prepared by its director Cynthia Nott.

Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" is a musical collaboration between orchestra and voices and is a testament to the waste and horror of war.

"In November 1940, the German Luftwaffe bombed Coventry, one of Central England's most historic cities," said Laurie Shulman, Dallas Symphony program annotator. "The damage was catastrophic and the 14th century cathedral effectively leveled. Twenty-two years later, in anticipation of the consecration of a new cathedral, the city fathers commissioned a new work from Britain's most celebrated composer, Benjamin Britten."

Britten, a pacifist, composed "War Requiem" as a musical statement representing his anti-war beliefs.

"Instead of setting the traditional Latin Requiem, Britten interspersed texts by Wilfred Owen, a British poet who had died in the trenches of World War I," said Shulman. "His male soloists represent a British soldier and a German soldier; the soprano, mixed chorus, and boys' choir fulfill a more traditional, angelic role. Britten's stunning score delivered a strong pacifist message while remaining respectful of the traditional liturgy. The result is one of the 20th-century's greatest choral masterpieces."

The beginning of "War Requiem" portrays the sacrifices of war and the desire for peace. The choir singing the Latin text conveys an entire church mourning for soldiers who have fallen. Meanwhile, innocent and heavenly praises are sung by the children's chorus.

The Dies irae movement musically portrays a battle, with voices from the chorus and martial outbursts from the orchestra. Harmonic and emotional tension roils during the movement.

During the Sanctus movement, the mood turns optimistic and cheerful before returning to an ominous state in the last two movements. The chorus ends Britten's with the line "Let them rest in peace, Amen."

Current ticket prices start at $21.

For information visit www.DallasSymphony.com or call 214-692-0203.

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