Opera Australia continues its sidestep into choral repertoire with two great 19th-century Requiems. Completed in 1893, Fauré’s lyrical meditation on death is paired with Barber’s iconic Agnus Dei, the composer’s choral arrangement of his famous Adagio for Strings. The OA Chorus will be conducted by Paul Fitzsimon, with Michael Curtain playing the marvellous St James’ Church Bicentennial Pipe Organ. Later in the month, OA tackles Brahms’ probing German Requiem, a choral blockbuster written at a time when the composer was grieving the loss of his mother. Nicholas Milton conducts, with Jane Ede and Luke Gabbedy as soloists.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Experience the sublime beauty of Fauré’s Requiem in a concert performance at Sydney’s historic St James’ Church.

Often described as the gentlest requiem ever composed, Fauré’s Requiem is music of profound tenderness and consolation. Completed in 1893, it forgoes the fire and fury of the traditional Mass for the Dead, instead offering a luminous meditation on rest and peace. From the hushed opening ‘Introit’ to the radiant closing ‘In Paradisum’, this is music that consoles, cradles and transcends.

The program opens with Samuel Barber’s iconic Agnus Dei — his own choral arrangement of the beloved Adagio for Strings — a work of aching beauty and the perfect companion to Fauré’s masterpiece.