GUILDFORD
CONCERTS
CORPORATION
Director of Music: J. CROSSLEY CLITHEROE
TECHNICAL COLLEGE, GUILDFORD
SATURDAY, 13th MAY, 1961, at 7 p.m.
———
VERDI'S
REQUIEM
FESTIVAL
CHOIR
THELMA GODFREY
Soprano
JOSEPHINE VEASEY
Mezzo Soprano
ALFRED HALLETT
Tenor
MICHAEL LANGDON
Bass
MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTOR
TATE GILDER
-
LEADER
-
PROGRAMME
CROSSLEY CLITHEROE
-
PRICE SIXPENCE
On May the 2nd, 1873, the 88 year old poet Alessandro Manzoni
died. Verdi, who was a great admirer of the poet, announced his
intention to write a Requiem in Manzoni’s memory.
This decision
was in spite of the fact that in 1871 he had remarked: “There are
.
so many Masses for the dead that it is pointless to add any more
However, even at that time part of the Verdi Requiem was already
in existence, a ‘‘Libera me” which had been composed several years
before.
Manzoni’s death gave Verdi the stimulus to complete the
Requiem Mass.
The work was finished in seven months, a period
spent partly in Paris and partly in Genoa.
The Requiem Mass, apart from the Quattro Pezzi Sacro and a
few other sacred pieces, is Verdi’s only major ecclesiastical composi-
tion.
It is a work which in some ways runs counter to traditional
Church music.
Verdi, a master of opera, does not deny himself in
the Requiem;
the power and range of expression in this work is
almost without parallel in the sphere of religious music. In his Mass
Verdi combines and balances many stylistic elements:
a capella
singing and symphonic instrumental music, stylised Gregorian chant
and arioso opera, Church and theatre music.
~—
L
The first performance took place on May the 22nd, 1874, the
anniversary of Manzoni’s death, in St. Nlark’s, Milan, with the
composer conducting.
It was first heard in an opera house in the
Scala, Milan, and was later performed in the Opera Comique in Paris,
the Cofirt Opera in Vienna and the Albert Hall in London.
Thus Verdi sanctioned a mode of performance not out of
keeping with the nature of this unique work.
Words only
VERDI
REQUIL
for
Four Solo Voices and Chorus
Composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni
and first performed at the Church of San Marco, Milan,
on 22nd May, 1874, under the direction of the composer.
New edition — revised and re-engraved
With the original Latin text and new
English translation by Geoffrey Dunn
G.
RICORDI
&
CO.
(London) Limited
271 Regent Street, London, W.1.
Copvright MCMLVI by G. RICORNDT & () (I ondon) LTD.
REQUIEM
No.1.
Requiem
aeternam
dona
eis
Domine:
et
REQUIEM
lux
perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi redetur
votum in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem meam, ad
Rest and peace eternal give them, Lord Our God ;
and light for evermore shine down upon them.
Oh God, a hymn becomes Thee in Sion, and vows
te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.
shall be rendered to Thee in Jerusalem : hear this
my supplication, for all flesh shall come to Thee.
Rest and peace eternal grant them, Lord Our God ;
and light for evermore shine down upon them.
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison.
No.2. DIES IRAE
Dies irae, dies illa,
Solvet saeclum in favilla,
Teste David cum Sybilla.
Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando judex est venturus,
Cuncta stricte discussurus !
Day of anger, Day of terror,
All shall crumble into ashes,
This was David’s revelation.
What a trembling shall possess them
When the Judge shall come to judgment,
Searching all the souls before Him !
TUBA MIRUM
Tuba mirum spargens sonum,
Per sepulchra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.
Mors stupebit et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Judicanti responsura.
Trumpets sounding loud as thunder
Call the buried dead from slumber,
To the throne of God Almighty.
Death shall marvel, Earth shall wonder,
When departed generations
Rise again to answer judgment.
LIBER SCRIPTUS
Liber scriptus proferetur,
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus judicetur.
Judex ergo cum sedebit,
Quidquid latet apparebit,
Nil inultum remanebit.
Dies irae, dies illa,
Solvet saeclum in favilla,
Teste David cum Sybilla.
Open lies the book before them,
Where all records have been written,
When creation comes to trial.
Then the Lord shall sit in judgment,
What was hidden is uncovered,
Naught forgotten, naught unpunished.
Day of anger, Day of terror,
All shall crumble into ashes,
This was David’s revelation.
QUID SUM MISER
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus,
Quem patronum rogaturus,
Cum vix justus sit securus !
What shall I plead in my anguish ?
Who will help me, give me counsel,
When the just are not acquitted ?
REX TREMENDAE
Rex tremendae majestatis,
Qui salvandos salvas gratis,
Salva me, fons pietatis.
King omnipotent and mighty,
King of dreadful power and glory,
Thou dost save the true repentant,
Save Thou me, Oh fount of mercy !
D
RECORDARE
Recordare, Jesu pie,
Quod sum causa tuae viae,
Ne me perdas illa die.
Quaerens me, sedisti lassus,
Redemisti crucem passus,
Tantus labor non sit cassus.
Juste judex ultionis,
Donum fac remissionis
Ante diem rationis.
Ah, remember, gentle Jesus,
*Twas for my sake Thou didst suffer.
On that day do not forsake me.
Seeking me Thou wast afflicted,
To redeem me by Thy Passion ;
Let such labour not be useless.
Just and upright Judge: Almighty,
Grant me grace for my atonement
Ere the day I stand before Thee.
INGEMISCO
Ingemisco tanquam reus,
Culpa rubet vultus meus,
Supplicanti parce, Deus.
Qui Mariam absolvisti,
Et latronem exaudisti,
Mihi quoque spem dedisti.
Preces meae non sunt dignae,
Sed tu bonus fac benigne,
Ne perenni cremer igne.
Inter oves locum praesta,
Et ab hoedis me sequestra,
Statuens in parte dextra.
I lament, for I am guilty :
And I blush for my wrong-doing :
I implore Thee, Saviour, spare me.
Thou hast dried the tears of Mary,
And the robber won Thy pity,
So shall I, too, hope for pardon.
My petitions are unworthy,
Yet have mercy, do not send me
To the fire flaming for ever.
In Thy sheepfold let me enter,
Do not herd me with the guilty,
Set me there upon Thy right hand.
CONFUTATIS
Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis,
Voca me cum benedictis.
Oro supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritum quasi cinis,
Gere curam mel finis.
Dies irae, dies illa,
Solvet saeclum in favilla,
Teste David cum Sybilla.
When the cursed all are banished,
Doomed to that devouring furnace,
Summon me among the blessed.
On my knees I fall before Thee,
Sorrow turns my heart to ashes,
Grant me grace at my departing.
Day of anger, Day of terror,
All shall crumble into ashes,
This was David’s revelation.
LACRYMOSA
Lacrymosa dies illa,
Qua resurget ex favilla,
Judicandus homo reus.
Huic ergo parce Deus.
Pie Jesu Domine,
Dona eis requiem!
Day of bitter lamentation,
When man rises up from ashes,
Doomed to judgment, lost and guilty,
Then, Lord, pity this Thy servant.
Blessed Jesus, Christ Our Lord,
Saviour, grant them rest and peace.
Amen.
Amen.
No.3. OFFERTORIO
Lord of Lords, Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus
-Domine Jesu Christe, rex gloriae, libera animas
Christ, King of Kings and King of Glory, free
omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni
the souls of all the faithful departed from Hell
et de profundo lacu.
and its torments, and from the soundless chasm.
Oh Lord, deliver them from the mouth ot the lion,
Libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus,
that they may not be swallowed up by Hell and
ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer sanctus
perish in its darkness: but may Michael raise his
Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam,
holy sign and lead them onward into Thy clear
quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.
light of heaven, which Thou didst promise of old
to Abraham and his seed to the last generation.
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus.
Sacrifice and prayers, Oh Lord, we offer Thee.
Hear our prayers, Oh Lord, mingled with songs of
Tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie
memoriam facimus, fac eas, Domine, de morte
transire ad vitam, quam olim Abrahae promisisti
Do Thou receive them for those souls departed,
whom we this day here commemorate ; grant
them, Oh Lord, to pass from death into iife
everlasting, which Thou didst promise of old to
Abraham and his seed to the last generation.
Oh Lord, deliver the souls of all the faithful de-
praise.
et semini ejus.
Libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de
poenis inferni et de profundo lacu, de morte
parted from Hell and the dark pit, to pass out of
death into life everlasting.
transire ad vitam.
No.4.
SANCTUS
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth,
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Earth and heaven are full of echoes to Thy glory.
'Hosanna in excelsis !
Hosanna in the highest !
Benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord of
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Earth and heaven are full of echoes praising Thy
Hosanna in excelsis !
Hosanna in the highest !
Lords.
glory.
No.s.
AGNUS DEI
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis
requiem.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis
requiem sempiternam.
Lamb of God, Thou that bearest the world’s
wrong-doing, grant them, grant Thy servants
rest for evermore.
Help Thy servants, grant that they may find rest
and peace never-ending.
No.6. LUX AETERNA
Light for ever shine down upon them, Christ the
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in
aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiem
aeternam
perpetua luceat eis.
dona
eis,
Domine,
et
lux
Lord, with all Thy blessed Saints in all ages, since
Thou art just and good.
Light that never fades shine down upon them with
all Thy Saints for evermore, since Thou art just.
Grant them rest and peace.
No.7.
LIBERA
ME
Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die illa
tremenda; quando coeli movendi sunt et terra.
Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.
Lord, deliver me out of everlasting death, Oh Lord,
Tremens factus sum ego et timeo, dum discussio
Trembling, frightened and full of despair am I, full
of terror and great fear, till the trial shall be at
upon that day of terror, when the earth and the
heavens shall be shaken. When Thou shalt
come and the whole world know the fire of
judgment.
venerit atque ventura 1ra.
hand, and the wrath to come.
Dies irae, dies illa, dies calamitatis et miseriae,
dies magna et amara valde.
Day of anger, Day of terror, Day of disaster
and of misery, Day most fearful, hopeless,
and exceeding bitter.
lux
Rest and peace for ever, grant them rest and peace
eternal, and light for evermore shine down upon
Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die illa
Lord, deliver me out of everlasting death upon that
day of terror, when the earth and the heavens
shall be shaken, when Thou shalt come, then
shall mankind know the fire of judgment.
Oh Lord, deliver me from death everlasting in that
dread day of terror. Save me, Oh Lord.
Geoffrey Dunn
Requiem
aeternam
perpetua luceat eis.
dona
eis,
Domine,
et
tremenda; quando coeli movendi sunt et terra.
Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem.
them, Lord Our God.
Guildford Corporation Concerts
Conductor:
A
full
and
CROSSLEY CLITHEROE
attractive
programme
of
Orchestral,
Chamber, Choral and Celebrity Concerts has been
arranged for the Season
1961-1962.
Details of all these Concerts will be published
nearer the opening date, but a brochure giving all
particulars will be printed, and will be posted to
individuals
on
receipt
of
a
stamped
addressed
envelope by the Director of Music, Guildford House,
155 High Street, Guildford.
In the near future it will be necessary to extend and expand the activities of
the Guildford Festival Choir if it is to take its rightful place among the major
choirs of this country. This choir exists to perform those great choral works
which require a numerically strong and well-balanced chorus to match the
orchestral strength which the music demands. We believe that Guildford is
proud of its Festival Choir. It has an excellent reputation in musical circles
far removed from Guildford. Many distinguished musicians have given it
high praise, and its further development presents a challenge to all singers
who live in and around Guildford. There are vacancies for all voices—
but particularly male voices—and any singers who wish to join the Choir—
and there should be many who would welcome the opportunity of participating in the performance of such music—should write to Wing Commander
J. N. Fletcher, 9 Pitfarm Road, Guildford.
THE GUILDFORD CONCERTGOERS’ SOCIETY
The Guildford Concertgoers’ Society was founded in 1949 to support the
Concerts promoted by the Guildford Corporation. The Society co-operates
with the Corporation in the promotion of recitals of a more intimate character
than the big symphony and choral concerts. Members are entitled to con-
cessionary tickets for these recitals.
In addition to its activities on behalf of Municipal music it has a social
Members are kept informed of events by a periodical
life of its own.
news-letter “‘Notes’".
The Annual Subscription is a minimum of 2/6 (or |/- for those under
I8 years of age). This covers admission to all ordinary meetings of the
Society, as well as a subscription to “‘Notes” (issued free to Members).
Fuller details, and a specimen copy of ‘Notes’’, may be obtained from Wing
Commander J. N. Fletcher, 9 Pitfarm Road, Guildford. New members will
be very welcome.
The Society has grown rapidly in recent times, and its aim is a thousand
Members. JOIN NOW and enjoy its benefits, and share in its work for the
advancement of Municipal music in Guildford.
When the new Civic Hall is completed the need for this Society will be
greater than ever. In its sixteen years of existence it has made an invaluable
contribution—both musical and financial—to the town’'s music, but with the
developments envisaged for the future its influence could be a major factor
in stimulating even greater interest in the enlightened work for music of the
Guildford Corporation.