12 Sep 2025
A landmark performance of Verdi’s Requiem will take place at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday October 18, as the Royal Choral Society marks 150 years since it gave the first UK performance of the work at the Royal Albert Hall, conducted by Verdi himself.
Verdi is best known for operatic masterpieces such as La Traviata, Rigoletto and Aida, and his Requiem has been described as his ‘greatest opera without a stage’. Combining sacred text with theatrical flair, the work caused controversy when it was first performed, as many considered it too dramatic for a religious setting. The thunderous Dies Irae, with its explosive percussion and blazing brass, remains one of the most unforgettable moments in all choral music.
The concert will be conducted by the choir’s musical director Richard Cooke and features the London Mozart Players alongside an impressive line-up of soloists: Verity Wingate (soprano), Julia Riley (mezzo-soprano), Alexey Dolgov (tenor) and Alastair Miles (bass).
The Royal Choral Society has a long and distinguished history, beginning with its foundation as the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society in 1871 and an inaugural performance that featured more than 1,000 singers. It became the Royal Choral Society shortly afterwards, with permission from Queen Victoria. Verdi’s Requiem was first performed by the choir in May 1875, with the composer taking to the podium at the Royal Albert Hall.
Since then, the Royal Choral Society has played a central role in Britain’s choral tradition, giving the UK premieres of many important works including Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, in a
performance which helped launch the composer’s international career.
Today, the choir remains a key part of national musical life, serving as the resident choir for the Royal Albert Hall’s Christmas concerts, and giving an annual Good Friday performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall – a tradition which also reaches the milestone of 150 performances on Good Friday, April 3 2026.
Verdi’s Requiem will be performed on Saturday October 18 at 7pm in St Albans Cathedral. Tickets are available via the Cathedral website: stalbanscathedral.org/event/
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