The 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Naval Academy’s presentation of their Spring Oratorio will feature Dr. Aaron Smith conducting Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem at the Strathmore in North Bethesda on April 19th.
“This is poised to be one of the finest and most significant concerts that the USNA Music Department has ever done!” Smith says.
This unique work is one of the most significant compositions of the 20th century, written about the destruction of war, and is one of the most difficult works in the choral/orchestral repertoire. Over 350 civilian and military musicians from across the branches of Armed Forces will be performing, along with Grammy-Award winning soloists.
The performers will include:
- The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club (100 voices)
- Baltimore Choral Arts Society (100 voices)
- Peabody Children’s Chorus (75 voices)
- U.S. Naval Academy Band: Winds and Brass (21 players)
- U.S. Air Force Academy Band (19 players)
- Various Navy Fleet Bands (10 players)
- Annapolis Symphony Orchestra String Section (44 players)
- Grammy-Award winning soloists (3 voices)
More than 500 midshipmen from USNA will be invited to attend, and good news for the public. The concert is free, however tickets are required. They can be obtained by visiting: strathmore.org/events-tickets/in-the-music-center/usna-britten-war-requiem.
For more information about the USNA music department, visit: usna.edu/music.
