The Choir very much enjoyed the opportunity to perform Verdi’s Requiem at the Brangwyn Hall on Saturday 23rd November 2024, 150 years after its premiere in Milan in 1874.
The performance was dedicated to the memory of Susan Croall BEM, BMus, LRAM, the Choir’s long-term accompanist who died on 30 October 2024.
The concert was very well received and two audience members have kindly taken the time to contact the Choir with their thoughts following the concert:
“This was an unforgettable concert, made all the more affecting by the fact that for one of my companions, it was her first encounter with the Verdi Requiem and her first visit to the magnificent Brangwyn Hall! We were both transported by the exceptionally sensitive collaboration between choir, orchestra and soloists. The whole thing was kept in perfect balance by the extraordinary musicality and leadership of the amazing Jonathan Rogers. All the drama of Verdi’s composition was given full throttle, while none of the spiritual significance of the requiem was lost. As it came to its very moving conclusion in the Lux Aeterna and the Libera me, we as audience felt an irresistible connection with the creative impulse which is at the heart of this profound work. Thank you, Swansea Philharmonic Choir!”
“There are many fine performances of the Verdi Requiem on CD performed by renowned soloists and conductors, but there is nothing like the excitement of attending a live performance of the work, on one’s own doorstep. We were given a performance of passion, sincerity, and accomplishment. This is a difficult work to bring off, but the Swansea Philharmonic Choir definitely achieved this firing on all cylinders. Jonathan Rogers must be congratulated on the wonderful work he is doing with the choir, and on the excellent work he is doing inspiring young musicians into a future career in music – a daunting task these days. There was an accomplished quartet of soloists, but special mention must be given to Angharad Morgan’s singing throughout and particularly her pianissimo high notes. May the Swansea Philharmonic flourish into the future… We are certainly very fortunate to have them in our midst.”
Our Chair, Hazel Phillips, said:
Verdi’s Requiem served as a fitting tribute to Susan, and everyone’s efforts trulyhonoured her memory. I’m deeply grateful to the Choir for their dedication throughout this challenging term.
Performing at the Brangwyn Hall with the wonderful British Sinfonietta and our soloists – Angharad Morgan, Sian Meinir, Joe Morgan, and Thomas Humphreys – was an amazing experience. Despite storm Bert, I was heartened to see that we still welcomed a significant audience of over 650, many of whom expressed their appreciation with a well-deserved standing ovation.
We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Jon, our esteemed Musical Director and Conductor. His unwavering dedication, time, and talent are the pillars that make our performances possible. As a choir, we are incredibly fortunate to have Jon guiding us, allowing us to perform such magnificent music together.