At the beginning of the year, when I first looked at my Verdi Requiem score many things came to mind: "how will I learn all the parts?" "This is very long." But the main thought that kept wondering in my head was: "I can’t believe I'm singing one of the greatest compositions ever written." As a Women’s Chorale member, I felt confident that learning the Verdi Requiem was not impossible, rather it was going to be more of a journey to build up greater musicianship.

The preparation that the students do on their own its only half of the work that it takes in order to perform a master work. This week, as I walked in to rehearsal I felt tired and sleepy, and hungry…but once I stood in the riser I knew that is was “show time”. I had to give my peers that positive energy that it takes in order to be an ensemble. And as our conductor Maestra Janet Galván reminded us on Friday “we are only as good as our weakest singer.”

There are other important aspects to take into consideration when learning the Requiem, like Verdi’s use of strong rhythms, sublime melodies, and dramatic contrasts. All of these qualities make it a lot more challenging for the performer to learn the parts properly.  But it is not learning the pitches and rhythms, nor learning the dynamics that will make this performance a great experience; it is the detail and the sophistication of our work and the work of our conductors that will always be remembered in my mind.

Sincerely,
Fanny