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Eglise de la Madeleine, Paris, France
Commemorative Concert for Chopin's Funeral at the Madeleine 1849
Paris, Eglise de la Madeleine — Main Hall
About the Event
Experience the enchanting melodies of classical music by two renowned composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frederic Chopin, in the highly‐anticipated concert held at Eglise de la Madeleine, a cherished and globally celebrated venue in Paris.
Relive the historic tribute concert that took place at the Madeleine church on October 30, 1849, in honor of Chopin's funeral.
In a decision made by Chopin and his companions, Mozart's Requiem was chosen to be performed at the funeral service within the walls of the Madeleine church.
On October 30, 1849, at eleven o'clock, a multitude of three thousand individuals clad in somber black attire filled the grand church.
As the casket emerged from the crypt, an orchestra resonated with Chopin's sorrowful Marche funèbre, meticulously arranged by the talented Napoléon Reber.
Continuing the poignant ceremony, Louis Lefébure‐Wély's melancholic Preludes in E minor and B minor gently flowed from the organist's skilled hands.
The orchestra and choir of the Société de concerts du Conservatoire, under the baton of Narcisse Girard, accompanied by soloists Pauline Viardot and Luigi Lablache, concluded the proceedings with a powerful rendition of Mozart's timeless Requiem.
Program
- Frederic Chopin – Nocturne N°20
- Frederic Chopin – Valse en La mineur
- Frederic Chopin – Valse op.70 N°2
- Frederic Chopin – « Nocturne N°20, Valse en La mineur », Valse op.70 N°2, Valse N°15, Valse Op 34 N°2, Valse op 69 N°2
- Frederic Chopin – Valse Op 34 N°2
- Frederic Chopin – Valse op 69 N°2
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Requiem
Artists
| Orchestra: | Orchestre Helios |
|---|---|
| Conductor: | Matthieu Cabanes |
| Choir: | Choeur Hélios Ephémère |
Eglise de la Madeleine
The Eglise de la Madeleine is a 19th-century Roman Catholic church that commands all eyes in its lovely location between the Place de la Concorde and the Palais Garnier in Paris. The construction process stretched over 80 years, as the building's plans - and those funding it - underwent many changes. Initially intended as Napoleon's tribute to his victorious army, the Neo-Classical style, echoing that of an Ancient Roman temple, retains the immense standing columns of earlier churches on the site. Inside the Eglise de la Madeleine, one can admire beautiful Neo-Byzantine mosaics, paintings and sculptures. The Neo-Classical architecture and impressive internal decorations create a perfect atmosphere for the classical concerts that take place in the church throughout the year. A magnificent pipe organ, considered to be one of the most impressive instruments in Paris in terms of its tonal beauty, plays its own part in the La Madeleine's musical life.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Perhaps the most important composer of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer of the late 18th century. Born in 1756 in Salzburg, he showed prodigious musical talent from childhood. Beginning at five years of age, he composed more than 600 works, including concertos, symphonies, religious works and operas before his premature death at the age of 35. Hi influence over successive generations cannot be overestated - Ludwig van Beethoven wrote of Mozart "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years”. Despite the immense success of his compositions, and the acclaim he received across Europe, Mozart achieved little financial security and rwas buried in an unmarked grave in Vienna's St Marx Cemetery.
Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer and pianist of the Romantic area (early 19th century). He wrote primarily piano solos but also piano concerts, chamber pieces and songs set to Polish lyrics. He is well-known as a poetic genius without competition of his generation. In fact, he created the concept of instrumental ballade and his performances were noted for their sensitivity and fine distinction. He spent most of his life in Paris, where he performed for the intimate atmospheres of salons. For most of his life, he suffered poor health. As a result, he died quite young at the age of 39, probably of tuberculosis.
Address
Eglise de la Madeleine, Place de la Madeleine, Paris, France — Google Maps
