Verdi: Messa da Requiem - Sheet music (2024)

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What is the meaning of Messa da Requiem? ›

The Messa da Requiem is a musical setting of the Catholic funeral mass (Requiem) for four soloists, double choir and orchestra by Giuseppe Verdi. It was composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, whom Verdi admired, and therefore also referred to as the Manzoni Requiem.

It is a big-boned work performed by large orchestral and choral forces, and is characterised by dramatic arias and choruses, the most famous of which is the 'Dies Irae', complete with ferociously pounded timpani.

Verdi's Requiem is one of the most famous and enthralling settings of the Catholic funeral mass. The work was composed in memory of the Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni, who was profoundly admired by Verdi, and it was first performed on May 22, 1874, on the first anniversary of Manzoni's death.

It is in the public domain in the United States as well as countries and areas where the copyright terms of anonymous or pseudonymous works are 95 years or fewer since publication.

"Requiem Mass" remains a suitable title for other Masses for the dead and for the Funeral Mass itself (as the proper antiphons remain in force: Introit, "Eternal rest grant ... " / "Requiem æternam dona eis Domine"; Offertory, "Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed ... " / " ...

The Catholic funeral service and etiquette

With these elements, it is called the Funeral Mass (also commonly known as Requiem Mass) and is preferred by the Church. A slightly less formal service may also be held, with more personal reflections of the deceased person.

Verdi's second wife, Giuseppina Strepponi, called her husband “certainly very little of a believer”, and though he would escort her to church every week, he wouldn't accompany her inside. So, while not vehemently atheist, there was a distinct lack of religion in Verdi's personal life.

Tragically, Verdi's children died in infancy, and his wife died soon after, leaving him distraught. With his personal life shattered and his professional life disrupted by grief, he turned his focus to composing opera.

At Mozart's death, only the Introitus of the Requiem is fully scored. All the other movements, from the Kyrie fugue to the end of the Hostias, are only sketched.

In fact, he was constantly tweaking and playing around with the last movement, “Libera Me.” It was not until 1873 when Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni passed away that Verdi returned to completing a Requiem all by himself.

Is Requiem a genre of music? ›

From the 18^th Century onwards, various composers were inspired to score their versions for choral and orchestral forces so massive — some practically operatic — that they couldn't possibly be performed as part of a normal funeral. These became concert works, and the 'Requiem' evolved into a genre all of its own.

As a Catholic, Mozart would have attended many requiems – church services for the peaceful repose of the dead. This Christian funeral rite asks an all-powerful God to accept a human soul into heaven. Mozart set this liturgical text to music for a patron who had lost his young wife to illness earlier that year.

funeral song, the ~ Noun.

: a musical service or composition in honor of the dead. Etymology. Middle English requiem "a mass for the dead," from Latin requiem "rest," the first word of the phrase Requiem aeternum dona eis "Eternal rest grant to them," said or sung at the begining of the mass.

The word requiem comes from the opening words of the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead, which is spoken or sung in Latin (requies means “rest”). In a nonreligious context the word refers simply to an act of remembrance.

'Dies Irae' (literally, Day of Wrath) is a medieval Latin poem, and one of the most famous melodies of the Gregorian Chant.