Perth Choral Society

Perth Choral Society presents 'An Evening with Mozart.'

Mystery? Intrigue? It was in July 1791 that a mysterious stranger dressed in grey called on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at his home in Vienna. The visitor explained that he had come to commission from Mozart a Requiem Mass - but he couldn't tell him who had sent him! A fee was agreed and secrecy assured before the stranger departed, leaving Mozart, already a very sick man, to contemplate this odd turn of events. Not only was he very sick, but he was convinced that someone was trying to poison him - so the more he thought about it, the more he believed that his visitor was a herald of death and that the Requiem was intended for his own funeral. He began work at once, but other commissions meant that he had to put it aside; by the time Mozart resumed his task, his health was rapidly deteriorating and, when he died on December 5, the Requiem was unfinished.

This tragic, gifted composer of some of the world's finest music, was only 35 and virtually penniless.

We are proud to present "an evening with Mozart" which will also include his Solemn Vespers (K 339), the beautiful Laudate Dominum and the aria Exsultate Jubilate (Allegro).

The City of Perth Sinfonia accompanies and all are under the direction of Peter Rutterford, Director of Music.