Mozart's Requiem

Last night we went to see the same group mentioned below, along with the Philharmonischer Chor der Region Niederrhein, perform Mozart's Requiem at St. John Lateran, the first Constantinian basilica in the city of Rome (though it's been substantially changed since then, especially in restorations after fires, earthquakes, etc.; one part even had to be repaired after the Mafia exploded a car bomb in front of one of the facades in 1993). It was pretty incredible. The choir had 195 singers, and with full orchestra, they made the building ring. The Requiem is one of my favorite pieces of classical music (not that I know a lot of pieces of classical music), so it was really wonderful to hear it. The Dies Irae effectively showed the terror of the judgment and wrath of God, and the Sanctus proclaimed the majesty of His holiness. Most powerful, perhaps, was the Kyrie ('Lord, have mercy'). The whole thing was just fantastic. It's been nice this weekend, because this same group has performed three times for free in different churches in the city (Saturday we heard Mozart's Te Deum and Coronation Mass at St. Ignatius). In St. John, where last night's performance took place, there are some great statues of the Apostles. Here is John the Evangelist, with his characteristic symbol of the eagle:



and Thomas the Doubter, demonstrated by his outstretched right finger: