Guiseppe LVerdi is perhaps best known for his many operas, among them Rigoletto, La Traviate, Il Trovatore and La Forza Destino. His last opera Falstaff was written in 1892. The Requiem is often compared with his operas, not always to its advantage. It has been referred to as "opera in church vestments". These words were spoken by Hans von Bulow though he lived to eat his words and humbly beg the composers pardon. Verdis widow remarked "I say that a man like Verdi must write like Verdi, that is according to his own feeling and interpreting of the text".

The origins of the work lie in a suggestion by Verdi for a composite Requiem, for which a number of composers each wrote a movement, on the death of Rossini and although the designated composers wrote their contributions the project did not come to fruition. However, the death of a distinguished Italien poet Alessandro Manzoni a man much admired by Verdi prompted the revival of the idea of a Requiem.

The commemoration of All Souls on 2^nd November was instituted by St Odo, Abbot of Cluny, in 998 and was observed everywhere by the 13^th Century, when masses for the dead became a general feature of parish life.

When he wrote his Requiem Verdi was anti-cleric and probably agnostic. Survivors of the Tsunami and the world who witnessed its destructive power have also questioned their faith and asked God "Why"? There is no finer work on such a grand scale than this to commemorate the victims; moving, as it does, from the thunderous opening dynamics of the Dies Irae to the ethereal calm of the Libera Mea, the music mirrors the might of the Tsunami when it struck and the awesome silence when it receded. The survivors are left to mourn but life goes on and it is to assist Chritian Aid in their work with them that this performance is being given.

Under its conductor Andrew Nethsingha, Gloucester Choral Society will be joined by invited members of other choirs. All of the chorus will pay to sing and other artists and the orchestra are giving freely of their time to ensure that the maximum amount possible will be given to the Charity. It is hoped that the sum of £10,000 will be realised.

Tickets are available priced £15, £12 or £5 from the Concert Manager, 87a Longford Lane, Gloucester GL2 9HB (SAE Please), or Audiosonic Westgate Street or on the door.