Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Messa da Requiem

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

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Dates

9-25 Feb 2023

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

1:30, no interval

Tickets

Impressive chorus, soloists and dancers directed and choreographed by Christian Spuck

Following the success of Missa in tempore belli the previous season, the Chorus of Dutch National Opera and the dancers of Dutch National Ballet are combining forces once more. Led by choreographer and director Christian Spuck, they share the stage with four soloists, accompanied by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. In his interpretation of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, Spuck brings together vocal music and dance with great virtuosity, in poetically powerful tableaux.

Photo: Carlos Quezada

Impressive gesamtkunstwerk to Verdi’s requiem

New collaboration between opera and ballet

Verdi’s Messa da Requiem is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘Verdi’s best opera’ due to its operatic nature. Verdi put so much drama into the solemn mass that it cries out for a theatrical interpretation, with the addition of moving bodies. Christian Spuck, a product of the renowned choreographic school of Stuttgarter Ballett, has created an unusual staged and choreographic interpretation of the impressive work. For the large-scale production, which had its world premiere at Opernhaus Zürich in 2016, he worked with no fewer than 36 dancers, over 100 chorus members and vocal soloists.

Universal emotions

Spuck’s interpretation of Verdi’s famous requiem is an unusual one. Drawing on a refined abstract movement idiom, he steers clear of the religious associations of hell and damnation. Instead, he brings universal human emotions associated with death to the fore, addressing sorrow, fear of the unknown and anger about the fragility of human existence in an impressive mix of vocal music and dance.

Leading director and choreographer

Spuck has been artistic director of Ballett Zürich since 2012 and will take up the position of director of Staatsballett Berlin in 2023. Besides the ballets he has created for Ballett Zürich and other leading companies, he has also choreographed and directed several highly acclaimed opera and film productions and won many awards for his work. The musical director is the up-and-coming conductor Eun Sun Kim, who was recently appointed musical director with San Francisco Opera. She will be leading the orchestra, the large chorus and four of today’s most prominent Verdi singers.

Performance information

This requiem mass is sung in Latin.

Christian Spuck’s production of Messa da Requiem touches on general human themes and is not a choreographic interpretation of the Catholic Requiem text.
In order to emphasise the cross-denominational character of the performance, the artistic production team has decided not to use surtitles during this performance.

Follow the link below to view the original text and English translation of Messa da Requiem.

Messa da Requiem - text

I. REQUIEM INTROÏTUS Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem. Exaudi orationem meam: ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.	I. REQUIEM INTROÏTUS Grant them eternal rest, O Lord; and may perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn in Zion befits you, O God, and a debt will be paid to you in Jerusalem. Hear my prayer: all earthly flesh will come to you. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.
KYRIE Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.	KYRIE Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
II. DIES IRAE DIES IRAE Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.	II. DIES IRAE DIES IRAE The day of wrath, that day will dissolve the world in ashes, as David and Sibyl prophesied.
Quantus tremor est futurus, quando iudex est venturus cuncta stricte discussurus.	How great will be the terror, when the Judge comes, who will smash everything completely.
TUBA MIRUM Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum coget omnes ante thronum.	TUBA MIRUM The trumpet, scattering a wondrous sound through the tombs of every land, will gather all before the throne.
MORS STUPEBIT Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura iudicanti responsura.	MORS STUPEBIT Death and nature shall stand amazed, when all Creation rises again, to answer to the Judge.
LIBER SCRIPTUS Liber scriptus proferetur, in quo totum continetur, unde mundus iudicetur. Iudex ergo, cum sedebit, quidquid latet, apparebit. Nil inultum remanebit.	LIBER SCRIPTUS The written book will be brought forth, in which all is contained, from which the world will be judged. Therefore, when the Judge takes His seat, whatever lies hidden will be revealed. Nothing will remain unavenged.
Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.	The day of wrath, that day will dissolve the world in ashes, as David and Sybil prophesied.
QUID SUM MISER Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix iustus sit securus?	QUID SUM MISER What can a wretch like me say? Whom shall I ask to intercede for me, when even the just ones are unsafe?
REX TREMENDAE Rex tremendae maiestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis, salva me, fons pietatis.	REX TREMENDAE King of dreadful majesty, Who freely saves the redeemed ones, save me, O font of pity.
RECORDARE Recordare, Jesu pie, quod sum causa tuae viae, ne me perdas illa die. Quaerens me, sedisti lassus, redemisti crucem passus: tantus labor non sit cassus. Iuste iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis.	RECORDARE Recall, merciful Jesus, that I was the reason for your journey: do not destroy me on that day. In seeking me, you sat down wearily, enduring the Cross, you redeemed me: Do not let these pains to have been in vain. Just Judge of punishment, give me the gift of redemption before the day of reckoning.
INGEMISCO Ingemisco tamquam reus, culpa rubet vultus meus. supplicanti parce, Deus. Qui Mariam absolvisti et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.	INGEMISCO I sigh as the guilty one, and my face blushes with guilt: spare the supplicant, O God. You who absolved Mary Magdalene and heard the prayer of the thief, have given me hope, as well.
Preces meae non sunt dignae, sed tu, bonus, fac benigne, ne perenni cremer igne.	My prayers are not worthy, but show mercy, O benevolent one, lest I burn forever in fire.
Inter oves locum praesta et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.	Give me a place among the sheep, and separate me from the goats placing me on your right hand.
CONFUTATIS MALEDICTIS Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis, voca me cum benedictis. Oro supplex et acclinis, cor contritum quasi cinis, gere curam mei finis.	CONFUTATIS MALEDICTIS When the damned are silenced, and given to the fierce flames, call me with the blessed ones. I pray, suppliant and kneeling, with a heart contrite as ashes, take my ending into your care.
Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.	The day of wrath, that day will dissolve the world in ashes as David and the Sybil prophesied.
LACRIMOSA Lacrimosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla Iudicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus, Pie Jesu Domine. Dona eis requiem. Amen.	LACRIMOSA That day is one of weeping. on which shall rise from the ashes the guilty man, to be judged. Therefore, spare this one, O God. Merciful Lord Jesus: grant them peace. Amen.
III. OFFERTORIUM DOMINE JESU CHRISTE Domine Jesu Christe, rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundo lacu: Libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum, sed signifer sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam, Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini eius.	III. OFFERTORIUM DOMINE JESU CHRISTE O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell may not swallow them up, that they may not fall into darkness, but let the holy standard-bearer Michael lead them into that holy light, Which you promised to Abraham and his descendants.
HOSTIAS Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus. Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus. Fac eas, domine, de morte transire ad vitam, quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini eius.	HOSTIAS We offer to you, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers. Receive them on behalf of those souls whom we commemorate today. Grant, O Lord, that they pass from death into that life, you promised to Abraham and his descendants.
IV. SANCTUS Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis! Benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis!	IV. SANCTUS Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
V. AGNUS DEI Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.	V. AGNUS DEI Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest everlasting.
VI. LUX AETERNA Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.	VI. LUX AETERNA Let eternal light shine upon them, O Lord, with your saints forever, for you are merciful. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them with your saints forever, for you are merciful.
VII. LIBERA ME Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die illa tremenda, quando caeli movendi sunt et terra. Dum veneris iudicare saeculum per ignem. Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, dum discussio venerit atque ventura ira. Dies irae, dies illa, calamitatis et miseriae, dies magna et amara valde.	VII. LIBERA ME Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death on that awful day, when the heavens and the earth shall be moved. When you will come to judge the world by fire. I tremble, and I fear the judgement and the wrath to come, when the heavens and the earth shall be moved. The day of wrath, that day of calamity and misery, a great and exceeding bitter day, indeed.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.	Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.
Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die illa tremenda. Libera me.	Deliver me, Lord, when the heavens and the eternal death on that awful day. Deliver me.

Musical direction  Eun Sun Kim
Choreography and stage direction  Christian Spuck
Set design Christian Schmidt
Costumes design  Emma Ryott
Lighting design Martin Gebhardt
Dramaturgy Michael Küster, Claus Spahn

Soprano
Federica Lombardi (9, 13, 16, 19, 21 and 25 Feb)
Guanqun Yu (10, 14, 17 and 22 Feb)
Mezzo-soprano
Yulia Matochkina (9, 13, 16, 19 and 21 Feb)
Agnieszka Rehlis (10, 14, 17, 22 and 25 Feb)
Tenor
Freddie de Tommaso (9, 13, 16, 19 and 21 Feb)
Saimir Pirgu (10, 14, 17, 22 and 25 Feb)
Bass
Alexander Vinogradov (9, 13, 16, 19 and 21 Feb)
Maxim Kuzmin-Karavaev (10, 14, 17, 22 and 25 Feb)

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Dutch National Ballet (soloists t.b.a)
Chorus of Dutch National Opera
Chorus master Edward Ananian-Cooper

Original production by Opernhaus Zürich

Online programme

Along with the printed programme book, we also offer online programme information for this performance. The online programme will take you behind the scenes with in-depth stories, articles, and interviews with the creators and cast.

Check out the online programme

‘That first moment when everyone draws a collective breath’

Conductor Eun Sun Kim about Verdi and freedom.

Photo: Eun Sun Kim | © Kim Tae-hwan

Read the full article

Eun Sun Kim

Musical direction

Christian Spuck

Choreography and stage direction

Christian Schmidt

Set design

Emma Ryott

Costumes design

Martin Gebhardt

Lighting design

Claus Spahn

Dramaturgy

Michael Küster

Dramaturgy

Edward Ananian-Cooper

Chorus master

Federica Lombardi

Soprano

Guanqun Yu

Soprano

Yulia Matochkina

Mezzo-soprano

Agnieszka Rehlis

Mezzo-soprano

Freddie de Tommaso

Tenor

Saimir Pirgu

Tenor

Alexander Vinogradov

Bass

Maxim Kuzmin-Karavaev

Bass

Messa da Requiem | Photo: Michel Schnater

10 February

And how beautifully they danced. When the Lacrymosa begins, the choreography flows fantastically organically and harmoniously from the swaying music. ... Dutch National Opera's Chorus once again had a brilliant leading role after Puccini's Turandot. The singers sang and played as if their lives depended on it.

10 February

To the 'Dies Irae', two hundred fists rhythmically boxed along ... Ballerina Olga Smirnova embodies emotion ...

12 February

The seamless interaction between opera and ballet produces wonderful moments during the 'Messa da Requiem' ... Suffering and dying are ever-present in Christian Spuck's stunning blend of classical ballet and angular modern dance.

10 February

Dutch National Ballet and Dutch National Opera join forces in a theatrical performance of Verdi's dramatically evocative Requiem. ... Spuck gives plenty of space to the four solo singers and ballet soloists in his staging.

Messa da Requiem - Podcast

By: Fabienne Vegt

Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 1918, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is famed for the intense energy it brings to its performances. Led by principal conductor Lahav Shani, the orchestra is often commended for the huge range of colour in its sound. Lahav Shani’s predecessors, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Valery Gergiev, have both had honorific titles conferred on them as honorary conductors of the orchestra. The orchestra’s most recent collaboration with Dutch National Opera was in 2021 with the The Seven Deadly Sins. This season, they will provide the musical accompaniment to Messa da Requiem under the direction of up-and-coming conductor Eun Sun Kim.