Boston Symphony to Release Archival Video Concert Stream of the Orchestra's 1963 American Premiere of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, Available Free to All Who Visit bso.org/now, March 10-April 8

One of the most powerful artistic statements about the effects of war and power of pacifism — and imbued with timeless meaning — Britten's War Requiem is being offered in a spirit of peace and unity, with hopes for an end to the ongoing tragic conflict in Ukraine and throughout the world.

The Boston Symphony’s archival concert stream of its 1963 American premiere of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, recorded at Tanglewood, will be made available free of charge at bso.org/now, March 10 through April 8. Under the direction of Erich Leinsdorf (BSO Music Director, 1962–69), the historic recording features vocalists Phyllis Curtin, Nicolas di Virgilio, and Tom Krause, as well as Chorus Pro Musica and Columbus Boy Choir.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, which was commissioned to mark the consecration of the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral in London, destroyed during a bombing raid in World War II. Britten’s piece takes a firm pacifist stance, setting World War I-era poetry by Wilfred Owen interweaved with his setting of the traditional Latin mass for the dead.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Sir Antonio Pappano, will be joined by vocalists Amanda Majeski, Ian Bostridge, and Mattias Goerne, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and a children’s choir, both under the direction of James Burton, for performances of Britten’s War Requiem on March 31 through April 2. These performances will mark the Tanglewood Festival Chorus’ return to formal concertizing for the first time since January 2020. Further details are available at bso.org. For more information about BSO NOW, go to bso.org/now.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Program Listing, March 31–April 2, 2022
Thursday, March 31, 8pm
Friday, April 1, 1:30pm
Saturday, April 2, 8pm
Sir Antonio Pappano, conductor
Amanda Majeski, soprano
Ian Bostridge, tenor
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Britten Children’s Choir, James Burton, conductor
BRITTEN War Requiem