Requiem Mass by Verdi, From (2016/2016), Conductor Marin Alsop, Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

Verdi’s shattering Requiem – which began life as a memorial to Rossini – was so forthright in its expression of grief, faith and judgement that many thought it too dramatic for performance in church. In the penultimate Prom of 2016, Marin Alsop leads the period instruments of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the fresh voices of the BBC Proms Youth Choir through all the passion, turbulence and reflection of Verdi’s sacred masterpiece. Michael Fabiano, the advertised tenor, has had to withdraw from tonight’s performance. The BBC Proms is very grateful to Dimitri Pittas for taking his place at short notice.