Opera in 2 Acts with 1 interval (20 min.

"Requiem" - the only work of Verdi, which is enjoyed the same wide popularity, as best of his 26 it leaned. Finished in the spring of 1874, through several years after "Aida", "Requiem" had the prolonged history of creation. After imprinting the patriotic moods of Verdi, "Requiem" immortalized memory about its great compatriots.

After foregoing the initially planned 12 parts, Verdi shared the traditional text of Catholic requiem mass into 7 parts, from which the most immense - second, in turn, is decomposed into 9 episodes.

N1 Requem (Eternal rest) begins hardly with an audible whisper of the chorus, to which is contradicted the brighter, more energetic quartet of soloists.

N2 Dies irae (Day of anger) sketches the sharply conflicting pictures of terrible law court, the complete confusions also of horror. Composing this part episodes remind of operatic scenes with the alternation of chorus, solo ariozo, duets, trio, quartets. the Musical-descriptive image of death Dies irae is changed by the roll-calls of four pipes after the scene and in orchestra Tuba mirum (Pipe of predvechnogo) and gloomy, as if by the thickening solo of bass. Then two lyric episodes with the beautiful sad melodies follow: the solo of mezzo-soprano Liber scriptus (Book written) and terzetto Quid (That I will say, unhappy). They are divided by sounding the terrible chorus Dies irae. Episode Rex tremendae is built on the contrast of the gloomy phrases of chorus and pleading - quartet of soloists.

Following three episodes - lyric: the bright, calm female duet Recordare (Mention, Iisus of good), to completely on- operatic reverberating ariozo of tenor Ingemisco (Quilty, I sigh and repent), the stately, but more sorrowful solo of bass Confutatis (Law court after uttering disgraced). For the last time appearing in this part terrible Dies irae is much shorter than the previous conducting and soon is inferior place sadly to the pacified quartet from mansions Lacrymosa (lacrimal day that). This completing second part is the episode - one of most sincere, with the melody of surprising beauty.

Three subsequent parts form the bright peace of work.
N3 Offertorio (Offering it is gratuitous) - the decoratively contemplative quartet of soloists being developed is leisurely, in the mute sonorousness.

N4 Sanctus (It is holy), that is opened by the solo of pipes, bright seam for the dual chorus, the embodiment of the creative rejoicing force of life.

N5 Agnus Dei (Lamb God) - the restrained, suspended duet of female is vocal, variation in the ancient style on the uncommon theme in the spirit of medieval church pesnopeniya into unison.

N6 Lux aeterna (Eternal light) - the terzetto of soloists, built on the contrast of the light and dark, with the gradual return of the moods of the 1st part.

N7 Libera Me (Free me, Lord) - the expanded finale, based as 2-4 part, on the contrast of diverse episodes. The dramatic solo of soprano brings to the return of the musical theme of the terrible chorus Dies irae. In the center - sorrowful episode without tracking of orchestra (soprano from the mansions) as recollection about the 1st part. Completes work complete of determination the choral seam, which pereklikayetsya with the dual seam of the 4th part.