Benjamin Britten War Requiem

Britten’s 1962 War Requiem is one of the twentieth century’s great musical masterpieces. Composed against the backdrop of the Cold War, and with memories of World War II still fresh, it collides Wilfred Owen’s searing First World War poems with the timeless texts of the Latin Requiem Mass, and Britten responds with music of staggering invention and shattering power. The Cambridge based Fairhaven Singers will be joined by numerous choral colleagues and massive orchestral forces for what promises to be an amazing experience in the spectacular acoustic of which Britten himself said “I would rather hear the War Requiem in Ely Cathedral”. This is our most ambitious project ever, and we guarantee a memory to cherish for everyone who is lucky enough to be there. Fairhaven Singers Ely Consort Chapter House Choir Students from Stephen Perse Cambridge Soprano – Anita Watson Tenor – Christopher Lemmings Baritone – James Cleverton Brandenburg Sinfonia Conductor – Ralph Woodward