A mysterious choral masterpiece will be brought to life by the voices of Fulham Camerata as the choir performs Mozart's Requiem this month.
The 18th century Austrian composer's final ever composition is set to stir the emotions at Fulham Camerata's spring concert.
The 35-strong choir will fill the air with song at All Saints Fulham church in Putney Bridge Approach in Bishops Park. The concert runs from 6.30pm on Saturday 29 March.
Created in 1791, the final work by Mozart has long been shrouded in mystery after it was commissioned by an anonymous patron just months before his death.
Counterfeit signature
Fulham Camerata's Geraldine Cooper explains: "Mozart's Requiem Mass was unfinished at his death on 5 December 1791.
"It had been commissioned anonymously by Count Franz von Walsegg to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of his young wife.
"But when Mozart died only the first movement, Requiem Aeternam, was completed in all of the orchestral and vocal parts.
"Since Mozart had received only half the payment in advance his widow, upon his death, was keen to have the work completed secretly in order to collect the final payment.
"The completed score, started by Mozart but largely finished by his pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr was dispatched complete with a counterfeit signature of Mozart dated 1792."
New season
The concert kicks off a new season for Fulham Camerata with new piano accompanist Gregory May, who joins the choir in its new home at the church on the banks of the River Thames.
Directed by Harry Guthrie, the musical treat will also include performances of two of German composer JS Bach's Cantatas, composed in Leipzig around 1727.
The local choral group – which is keen to welcome new singers to its Tuesday evening rehearsals at All Saints Fulham – has a varied programme of concerts throughout the year.
An uplifting summer showcase will be held on 21 June, followed by performances in the autumn and candlelight concerts during the winter.
Buy tickets for Mozart's Requiem priced £20 (£15 students and under 25s) through Fulham Camerata's website.
