Massive orchestra to perform Berlioz’ Requiem

Nearly 400 performers from two schools will come together to perform the Berlioz Requiem at the Koger Center tonight.

The University of South Carolina Concert Choir, University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Coker College singers in this performance. It is only the second performance in Columbia of the monumental funeral mass composed by Hector Berlioz in 1837. Guest artist Christian Sebek will perform the piece’s tenor solos. Sebek is a highly praised vocalist and currently plays the role of Ubaldo Piangi in the Broadway production of “Phantom of the Opera.”

The piece is scored for a very large group of instrumentalists and singers; originally, it called for about 421 performers, including a tenor soloist and four brass choirs. That’s about double the typical size of a standard orchestra.

Requiem masses were traditionally composed for the Catholic mourning rituals and were typically, but not always, performed at funerals. Over time, they have become dramatic performance pieces for choirs and symphonies.

The Berlioz Requiem will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $31 for the general public; $26 for faculty, staff and seniors; and $9 for USC students. Tickets can be purchased at the Koger Center box office or koger.sc.edu.

Amanda C. Coyne

This story was originally published April 20, 2015 at 11:37 PM with the headline "Massive orchestra to perform Berlioz’ Requiem."