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The scars of war never heal. Few knew this better than Benjamin Britten, a lifelong pacifist who used the poetry of war poet Wilfred Owen to depict the horrors of war in his 1962 War Requiem.

The work was initially composed to honour Coventry Cathedral after the Cathedral was torn to pieces by German bombs in World War II. It holds a special place in The Bach Choir’s repertoire, owing greatly to the celebrated 1963 recording in which they featured and Britten conducted.

Wilfred Owen documented the sorrow and hardship of war directly from the battlefield, where he was killed in action in 1918. His words still resonate uncomfortably over a century later:

“We laughed, knowing that better men would come, And greater wars”

Contrasts hang heavy in the air throughout Britten's setting of Owen's poetry, interspersed with movements of the Latin Requiem Mass. The tritone interval (or ‘The Devil’s Interval’) is conjured up frequently by the piece's huge ensemble and choirs. It strives for resolution and peace, but never fully finds it. It's a powerful metaphor for war and reconciliation.

What the War Requiem means to David Hill

Programme and repertoire

Elizabeth Watts - Soprano
Andrew Staples - Tenor
Mark Stone - Baritone
The Bach Choir - Chorus
London Youth Choirs - LYC Junior Boys & LYC Cambiata Boys
Philharmonia Orchestra
David Hill - Conductor

Britten - War Requiem

Important information

Bookings of between 6-9 people are eligible for a 15% discount, and bookings of 10+ people are eligible for a 25% discount. If you're buying for a group of 6 or above, please email groupbookings@thebachchoir.org.uk stating how many tickets you're buying to receive instructions on how you can get these discounts.

Seating has been divided into the below areas. Seating within each block will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please arrive with your party to ensure that we can seat you together. If you intend to arrive separately to your party, please ensure that you enter their names in the 'attendee name' field for each ticket that you'll be prompted with before payment so that they can enter without the lead booker present.

If you're a wheelchair user and are booking a ticket, you're entitled to a free carer ticket. Please contact joe.garvey@thebachchoir.org.uk to arrange this and for information on accessibility.