Distinguished Concerts International - New York

Jonathan Griffith Singers’ presentation of Verdi's Requiem Mass is a huge success

July 16, 2007

PISA, Italy. It's been twenty years since the worldwide declaration proclaiming the Cathedral Duomo of Pisa's Public Square, the Piazza, as a worldwide national monument and entered it officially on the World Heritage List. A wonderful concert was held commemorating the anniversary.

The concert presentation celebrating this momentous occasion was the undertaking of one hundred and eighty American and Italian unified performers. The excellent American choir, The Jonathan Griffith Singers, along with their director, were joined in Italy by the Nova Amadeus Orchestra and it's director to collaborate on this project. The celebration at the Cathedral was introduced by Club Unesco of Pisa spokesperson, professor Franca Vitale Fascetti.

The entire venture was produced under the baton of Maestro Jonathan Griffith in the gala presentation of Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem Mass, "a work written in honor of the death of the famed Italian poet Alexander Manzoni.

The four soloists for Verdi's Requiem Mass were soprano Deborah Williams; mezzo-soprano Doris Brunatti, who sang efficiently and vocally expressed the tragedy both effectively and with great intensity; tenor Bradley Williams; and bass Stephen Morscheck, who sang powerfully throughout, making each note expressive and intensely spiritually religious.

The Mass' performance received great acclaim resulting in an extended standing ovation. Those attending the concert found the Duomo's unique architecture and beautiful lighting added to the concert, thus giving it a magical spiritual quality.

The evening marked a huge success for everyone involved. Praise goes to those of the Club Unesco of Pisa and the Opera Primaziale Pisana organizations who collaborated in making this twenty-year celebration a memorable experience for Pisa.