VERDI Requiem Mass (1874)

Requiem
Dies irae
Offertorium
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Lux aeterna
Libera me

No intermission.

1
Messa da Requiem
GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901)

Fiercely independent and passionately patriotic, Verdi revered few men as great or saintly.
At the top rung of the ladder of greatness he placed only two names, Rossini and Manzoni, and it
was the deaths of these two that led to the composition of his incomparably beautiful version of
the Latin Requiem Mass.
Gioacchino Rossini, of course, was world famous as composer of numerous Italian operas.
Verdi respected him as the creator of such masterpieces as The Barber of Seville. After Rossini
died, Verdi wrote that "His reputation was one of the glories of Italy. When the other that is like
it [that is, Manzoni's life] exists no more, what will remain to us?"
His other idol, the Italian poet Alessandro Manzoni, was author of the novel I promessi
sposi ("The Betrothed"), which had done much to unite linguistically the fragmented regions of
Italy. As Steven Ledbetter has written, "Inspired in its architecture by the historical novels of Sir
Walter Scott, Manzoni's book easily surpasses them in scope, characterization, feeling for the
forces of history, and beauty of language." By selecting the Tuscan dialect as most representative
of Italy as a whole and using that dialect with such persuasively poetic beauty in his novel,
Manzoni did as much in his way to promote the cause of Italian unification as all the soldiers and
statesmen did in theirs.
Immediately after Rossini's death in 1868, Verdi conceived a plan to honor his memory: a
Requiem Mass, each of whose thirteen sections would be composed by a different Italian
composer, the composite work to be given in Bologna on the first anniversary of Rossini's death.
The plan was doomed. Petty jealousies and official indifference combined to assure that the
"Rossini" Requiem would not be performed as planned. Verdi was humiliated and bitterly
disappointed in his countrymen.
Five years later Manzoni died at the age of 88. Verdi stayed away from the public funeral,
paying his respects privately at the grave in Milan a few days later. Again he thought of a
Requiem Mass to memorialize the deceased. "It is a heartfelt impulse, or rather necessity, that
prompts me to do honor as best I can to that Great One whom I so much admired and venerated
as a man."
His plan was presented through his publisher to the mayor of Milan, Manzoni's home city
and Verdi's adopted home as well: Verdi would write the Requiem (all of it himself this time)
and bear the cost of copying the parts, if the city of Milan would pay for the performance. The
terms were accepted, Verdi finished the Requiem with slightly over a month to spare, and the
"Manzoni" Requiem (as it is often called) was performed in the Church of St. Mark on May 27,
1874, the first anniversary of Manzoni's death.
Many musicians and church officials have worried about whether this is truly a sacred
work or an opera in disguise. It is obvious that Verdi, raised as a Catholic but shunning
organized religion in his maturity, wrote not a dark, mystical, liturgical setting but a glowing,
dramatic depiction, not an aid to worship but a memorial concert work, and one that concentrates
less on thoughts of the dead than on prayers for the well-being of the living. Although he stayed
closer to the prescribed text than did Berlioz, for instance, he was not above repeating portions of
the text in unconventional ways when it suited his dramatic purpose.
The music in this Requiem actually had its beginning in the aborted "Rossini" Requiem,

2
especially the "Libera me" that Verdi composed as his own contribution to that composite work.
To a professor at the Milan Conservatory he later admitted that he had also made some sketches
for a "Requiem aeternam" movement and a "Dies irae," although he said he didn't expect then to
finish a complete Requiem. With the impetus provided by Manzoni's passing, however, he used
these sketches and a thorough reworking of the "Libera me" as starting points for his "Manzoni"
Requiem. Apparently, only the opening chants of the "Libera me" and its choral fugue were
retained intact from the earlier, "Rossini" version.
In composing the work, Verdi had the advantage of studying earlier settings of the
Requiem text. His "Dies irae" especially, with its trumpet of doom multiplied in echoing
profusion, owes much to the Berlioz version, just as the later War Requiem of Britten would
benefit from the example of Verdi. But where Berlioz's Requiem seems representative of French
state occasions, a grand paean to national gloire, Verdi's has a particularly Italian coloration, with
its multitude of wonderful melodies, its solos and ensembles addressing prayers for the dead and
the living in a most personal way. The Berlioz Requiem was designed for the vast reverberant
spaces of a cathedral, but Verdi's, though written for premiere in a church, seems tailored more
for theatrical performance. This Requiem, which Brahms said "could be done only by a genius,"
stands as a sublime tribute to the greatness of both Manzoni and Verdi.

—————————————————————————

REQUIEM MASS
The text as set by Verdi

I. REQUIEM
Muted strings introduce the Introit, setting the stage for choral petitions of eternal light for the
deceased. The Psalm verse "Te decet hymnus" gets unaccompanied polyphonic treatment, and
there is a brief, liturgically proper repetition of the opening lines before the "Kyrie" portion, in
which the soloists are first heard. Interestingly, Verdi ends by returning to the middle line of text,
"Christe eleison," and the movement closes softly as violins ascend, carrying the prayers
heavenward.

Chorus
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them rest eternal, Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and may perpetual light shine on them.

Te decet hymnus, Deus in Sion, A hymn to you is fitting, God of Zion,

et tibi redettur votum in Jerusalem, and to you shall a vow be made in Jerusalem.
exaudi orationem meam, Listen to my prayer;
ad te omnis caro veniet. unto you all flesh shall come.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them rest eternal, Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and may perpetual light shine on them.

Solo Quartet and Chorus

Kyrie eleison; Lord, have mercy.
Christe eleison; Christ, have mercy.

3
Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy.

II. DIES IRAE

As with the Berlioz Requiem, this one too has as its most prominent feature the dramatic
pictorialism of the Sequence, "Dies irae." Verdi uses hammer strokes from the brass and bass drum
to make quite literal the destruction of the world on that "day of wrath." (The composer directs that
the bass drum be stretched very tight, so that its off-beat strokes will sound short and powerful.)
Echoing trumpets, some separated off-stage, herald the Judge's arrival, and ominous choral
repetitions of "Dies irae" punctuate the solo bass's description of the Judgement. Twice during the
course of this long poem (which Verdi, unlike Mozart and Berlioz, sets as one continuous
movement), the opening strokes and cries of doom return, making the following entreaties for
salvation all the more poignant.

Chorus
Dies irae, dies illa, Day of wrath, that day
solvet saeclum in favilla, the world will dissolve in ashes,
teste David cum Sibylla. as witness David and the Sibyl.

Quantus tremor est futurus, What trembling there will be,

quando judex est venturus, when the judge shall come
cuncta stricte discussurus. to examine all things thoroughly.

Tuba mirum spargens sonum, The trumpet, spreading its wondrous sound
per sepulchra regionum, through the tombs of all regions,
coget omnes ante thronum. will gather all before the throne.

Bass Solo
Mors stupebit et natura, Death will be stupefied, also nature,
cum resurget creatura, when all creation arises
judicanti responsura. to answer to the judge.

Mezzo-Soprano Solo and Chorus

Liber scriptus proferetur, A written book will be brought forth,
in quo totum continetur, in which everything shall be contained,
unde mundus judicetur. by which the world shall be judged.

Judex ergo, cum sedebit, When the judge is therefore seated,

quidquid latet, apparebit, whatever is hidden will be exposed;
nil inultum remanebit. nothing shall remain unavenged.

Chorus
Dies irae, dies illa, Day of wrath, that day
solvet saeclum in favilla, the world will dissolve in ashes,
teste David cum Sibylla. as witness David and the Sibyl.

4
 Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano and Tenor Solos
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus, What am I, a miserable one, to say then?
quem patronum rogaturus, What patron shall I request,
cum vix justus sit securus? when the righteous are scarcely secure?

Solo Quartet and Chorus

Rex tremendae majestatis, King of fearful majesty,
qui salvandos salvas gratis, who freely saves the redeemed,
salva me, fons pietatis. save me, fount of mercy.

Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano Solos

Recordare Jesu pie, Remember, merciful Jesus,
quod sum causa tuae viae, that I am the cause of your journey;
ne me perdas illa die. do not abandon me on that day.

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus, Seeking me, you sat down exhausted;
redemisti crucem passus, you redeemed me by suffering the cross.
tantus labor non sit cassus. Such great labor should not be in vain.

Juste judex ultionis, Just judge of vengeance,

donum fac remissionis, make the gift of remission
ante diem rationis. before the day of accounting.

Tenor Solo
Ingemisco, tanquam reus, I sigh as one accused;
culpa rubet vultus meus, shame reddens my face.
supplicanti parce, Deus. Spare the supplicant, God.

Qui Mariam absolvisti, You who absolved Mary [Magdalene]

et latronem exaudisti, and listened to the thief
mihi quoque spem didisti. have given me hope also.

Preces meae non sunt dignae, My prayers are not worthy,

sed tu bonus fac benigne, but you, good one, be merciful,
ne perenni cremer igne! lest I burn in everlasting flames!

Inter oves locum praesta, Place me prominently among your sheep,

et ab haedis me sequestra, and from the goats separate me,
statuens in parte dextra. placing me in the portion on the right.

Bass Solo and Chorus

Confutatis maledictis, Silencing the accursed,
flammis acribus addictis, to acrid flames consigning them,
voca me cum benedictis. call me with those blessed.

Oro supplex et acclinis, I pray, bowed and kneeling,

5
cor contritum quasi cinis, my heart contrite as ashes;
gere curam mei finis. take care of me at the last.

Chorus
Dies irae, dies illa, Day of wrath, that day
solvet saeclum in favilla, the world will dissolve in ashes,
teste David cum Sibylla. as witness David and the Sibyl.

Solo Quartet and Chorus

Lacrymosa dies illa, That tearful day,
qua resurget ex favilla, when guilty man shall rise
judicandus homos reus. from the embers to be judged.
Huic ergo parce Deus. Oh, therefore spare him, God.

Pie Jesu Domine, Merciful Lord Jesus,

dona eis requiem. Amen. grant them rest. Amen.

III. OFFERTORIUM
The Offertory, "Domine Jesu Christe," is reserved for the soloists. A highlight among the many
splendid moments of vocal beauty is the soprano's first entrance, a long note held while a pair of
violins previews the melody she will sing in describing Saint Michael the Standardbearer. The
piece dies out in a shimmer of strings.

Solo Quartet
Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, Lord Jesu Christ, glorious King,
libera animas omnium fidelium free the souls of all the faithful dead
defunctorum de poenis inferni from punishment in the inferno,
et de profundo lacu. and from the deep pit.
Libera eas de ore leonis, Deliver them from the lion's mouth,
ne absorbeat eas tartarus, lest the abyss swallow them up,
ne cadant in obscurum: lest they fall into darkness.

Sed signifer sanctus Michael But may the standardbearer St. Michael
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam, bring them into the holy light,
quam olim Abrahae promisisti as once you promised to Abraham
et semini ejus. and his seed.

Hostias et preces tibi, Sacrifices and prayers we offer

Domine, laudis offerimus. to you, Lord, with praise.
Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, Receive them for the souls of those
quarum hodie memoriam facimus; whom today we commemorate;
Fac eas, Domine, make them, Lord,
de morte transire ad vitam, to pass from death to life,

quam olim Abrahae promisisti as once you promised to Abraham

6
et semini ejus. and his seed.

Libera animas omnium fidelium Free the souls of all the faithful dead
defunctorum de poenis inferni. from punishment in the inferno.
Fac eas de morte transire ad vitam. May they pass from death to life.

IV. SANCTUS
For the "Sanctus," the chorus is divided into eight parts, sometimes woven together in counterpoint,
sometimes divided as two four-part choruses in antiphonal opposition. Following the lead of Luigi
Cherubini's Requiem, Verdi combines the "Sanctus" and "Benedictus" into one seamless
movement, beginning and ending in celestial glory.

Choruses I and II
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Holy, holy, holy,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Lord God of the Hosts.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra The heavens and earth are filled
gloria tua. with your glory.
Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus, qui venit Blessed is he who comes

in nomine Domini. in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in excelsis! Hosanna in the highest!

V. AGNUS DEI
The two female soloists begin the "Agnus Dei," singing unaccompanied in octave unison and
echoed by the unison chorus. As the text is repeated, the orchestra joins the singers, and the chorus
begins to add harmony. The atmosphere throughout is one of simplicity and pathos.

Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano Solos and Chorus

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God,
qui tollis peccata mundi, who removes the world's sins,
dona eis requiem. grant them rest.

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God,

qui tollis peccata mundi, who removes the world's sins,
dona eis requiem sempiternam. grant them rest everlasting.

VI. LUX AETERNA

These closing words of the Mass for the Dead replace the blessing of the congregation used in the
regular Mass, iterating once more the concerns for perpetual light and rest for those who have died.
The Mozart and Cherubini versions append this portion to the "Agnus Dei"; Berlioz omits it in
order to repeat a part of his Introit. Verdi makes it a separate movement, an intimate and loving
farewell to the saintly figure of Manzoni. The chorus and solo soprano do not sing here; Verdi is

7
reserving them for the last movement.

Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor and Bass Solos

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, May eternal light shine on them, Lord,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, with your saints for eternity,
quia pius es. because you are merciful.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis, and may perpetual light shine on them,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, with your saints for eternity,
quia pius es. because you are merciful.

VII. LIBERA ME
Differing once again from the Mozart and Berlioz settings, Verdi includes the Absolution, "Libera
me," which technically follows the Requiem Mass as part of the service of burial. Here he makes
use of a similarity in text ("Dies illa, dies irae," as opposed to the Sequence's "Dies irae, dies illa")
to bring in the doomsday cries and hammer blows of the second movement once more. This finale
combines elements of Gregorian chant, Baroque fugue, concern for the departed, and prayers for the
living. Without continuing on to the "In Paradisum" (which Fauré and Duruflé would later include
in their Requiems), Verdi concludes by repeating the hopeful prayers of "Libera me, libera me."

Soprano Solo and Chorus

Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, Deliver me, Lord, from eternal death,
in die illa tremenda, on that dreadful day,
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra, when the heavens and earth shall be moved,

dum veneris judicare when you come to judge

saeculum per ignem. the world through fire.

Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, I am made to tremble and to fear,

dum discussio venerit awaiting the judgement that shall come,
atque ventura ira, and also at your coming wrath,
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra. when the heavens and earth shall be moved.

Dies illa, dies irae, That day, day of wrath,

calamitatis et miseriae, of calamity and misery,
dies magna et amara valde, great and exceedingly bitter day,
dum veneris judicare when you come to judge
saeculum per ignem. the world through fire.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them rest eternal, Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and may perpetual light shine on them.

Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, Deliver me, Lord, from eternal death,
in die illa tremenda, on that dreadful day,

8
quando coeli movendi sunt et terra, when the heavens and earth shall be moved,
dum veneris judicare when you come to judge
saeculum per ignem. the world through fire.

— Program notes and English translation

by Nick Jones, Program Annotator
of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
©2002, Nick Jones