Messa da 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.