War Requiem: Benjamin Britten

The stage of the Dome Concert Hall heaved under the weight of two orchestra, the Britten Sinfonia and Orchestre de Picardie, and the Brighton Festival Chorus who are celebrating their 50th year , and in the gallery the sweet voices of the Brighton Festival Youth Choir– and what better way to celebrate. Add to this internationally renowned soloists, soprano Claire Booth, Tenor Ian Bostridge and Baritone Gerard Finlay and you have the makings of a sensational performance and with conductor Arie van Beek we were not to be disappointed. From the opening moments to the final breath this was a stirring musical experience, delicate at times and thunderously oppressive at others the entire ensemble committed to the whole in a beautifully cohesive performance that never flagged and has us on the edge of our seats. Claire Booth’s fine voice sang out from the front of the chorus, I wish she had been closer personally, and Bostridge and Finley dominated from the front, their stunning voices ringing out like church bells. Both orchestras were as one with incredible moments where strings chased across the space and wood wind fluttered and soared and the whole punctuated by the gun fire of percussion and the rallying cry of horns.

Dome Concert Hall

12 May

Andrew Kay

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