ON Saturday, May 12 the Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies are performing Verdi’s Requiem in St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley at 7.30pm with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra,and conductor Martin Binks.

Soloists for the evening are Heather Jane Taylor - soprano, Joanna Gamble - mezzo soprano, Joseph Spratt - tenor and David Bainbridge - baritone.

The evening promises a wonderful combination of operatic drama combining the voices of two choirs, four very accomplished soloists and an 80 strong orchestra.

Giuseppe Verdi was born in Busseto, Italy, in 1813 and died in Milan, Italy, in 190l aged 88.

From a very young age Verdi’s gift for music was apparent; by eight years old he had become the official paid organist at the local church and by 18 years had written a large assortment of music from marches to sinfonia.

By the time he was in his 30s, he had become one of the most pre-eminent composers of opera in history - famous for works such as Rigoletto (1851), La traviata (1853) and Aida (1871) plus many more.

Verdi’s Requiem, considered a masterpiece by many, was first performed in Milan Cathedral on 22 May 1874.

It was composed to honour a famous and much loved novelist and poet Allesandro Manzoni who had died the previous year. Verdi’s Requiem is written for double choir, four soloists and orchestra and opens with a thunderous “Dies irae” with the first part closing with the consoling “Libera me”.

At times the music is full of drama in the way it combines voices with trumpet fanfares and yet offers spirituality through the quietness of music such as the Lacrymosa.

Although Verdi was not necessarily a religious man the Requiem presents a work consisting of prayers to God about death in its many guises, describing it as terror in “Save me from eternal death” in Libera Me but also as a comfort offering release from suffering.

Verdi famously wrote that for some people a belief in God is essential but others are happier believing in nothing.

Also included in the programme is the Overture: The Sicilian Vespers an opera written by Verdi in 1855.

Tickets cost £15 and are available from The Grove Book Shop, Ilkley, (under 18s free).