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GLORIOUS PERFORMANCE
Verdi’s ‘Requiem’ returns to Valley after 30 years
The performance is ‘taxing vocally,’ a chorus member says.
YOUNGSTOWN — After an absence in the Mahoning Valley of more than 30 years, Verdi’s “Requiem,” considered a “demanding” musical performance with a large orchestra and an even larger chorus, made a triumphant return.
The performance on Friday at Stambaugh Auditorium had the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Susan Davenny Wyner, provide the music. More than 200 singers from the Westminster College Choir, Seraphim Chorus and the Stambaugh Chorus along with four soloists provided the vocals.
“It’s a big challenge, but it’s a beautiful piece of music,” said Anthony Gomez, 21, of Hillsville, Pa., a tenor with the Westminster College Choir and a junior at the school majoring in Spanish.
The performance is entirely in Latin. “Requiem” is a musical performance of a Catholic funeral Mass.
“It’s taxing vocally,” said Jimmy Cochran, 18, of Pulaski, Pa., a tenor with the Westminster College Choir and a freshman there. “You need an older voice so for a college singer performing it doesn’t happen that often. We’re lucky to get that chance.”
It was last performed in the Valley in 1977 by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Franz Bibo, with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus and the Westminster College Choir at Powers Auditorium.
Bibo is deceased. His wife, Jacqueline Bibo, helped bring it back to the area in her capacity as Stambaugh’s fund-raising and marketing coordinator.
“It’s a glorious work of music,” she said. “Having it at [Stambaugh] is appropriate because of its outstanding acoustics.”
William Conti, the auditorium’s president, agreed with her assessment.
“This is the perfect hall for a work with a large chorus,” he said. “The concert hall was built for something like this. The performance is stunning.”
The performance was dedicated to late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, who died in September. “Requiem” was one of the tenor’s favorites.
“It’s been very exciting to pull this all together,” Wyner said.
Though she’s conducted portions of “Requiem” before, Friday was the first time she did the entire performance.
For two of the soloists — tenor Darren T. Anderson and mezzo-soprano Stephanie Chigas — it was only the second time they’d performed “Requiem.”
“It’s one of the most demanding concert pieces for a tenor,” said Anderson, who first performed “Requiem” three years ago. “To learn it musically is a task, but it’s an amazing piece.”
Chigas performed “Requiem” three weeks ago.
“It’s one of those pieces that once you’ve heard it or sung it, it’s always with you,” she said.
Like Anderson, she acknowledged how “demanding” the performance is on those who sing it.
Even before the performance, Steve and Andrea Pavlak of Austintown, who came to see and hear it, were impressed with the sheer number of singers.
“It’s awe-inspiring,” Steve Pavlak said. “Exposure to the arts is a wonderful experience. We wanted to partake of it.”
skolnick@vindy.com