A party of us from the BBCM went to hear the Verdi Requiem on Tuesday 23 January. Out of all the instrumental sections I think I liked the strings the best. The Verdi Requiem is a sombre chant with angry expression woven throughout. It has 7 main sections sung by 4 singers (Renee Fleming soprano, Violeta Urman mezzo soprano, Marcus Haddock tenor and Rene Pape bass). Antonio Pappano conducted the LSO. This performance celebrated Verdi's centenary. The strings throbbed throughout while the trumpet and drums separated with sections of resounding bass notes. I very much enjoyed the concert and I am happy I went.

Daniel Grant Smith
Age 12, intermediate class