Verdi’s Mass Appeal Missed in ‘Requiem’ Review

I attended the wonderful, marvelous concert by the William Hall Master Chorale of the “Requiem” by Verdi on Sunday and read the review today (“Dutifully Dramatic,” by John Henken, Oct. 6).

Although the review was positive, I found that particular piece of prose very amusing. Instead of coming across as erudite, as I believe Mr. Henken intended, it came across as pompous [and suggested] that Verdi’s “Requiem” is a piece of music only the musical elite can enjoy.

The “Requiem” by Verdi is very approachable to the masses, but when musicians write in that style, the masses are intimidated and believe it is not for them. In a time when we are hanging on the classics by a mere thread, that is indeed unfortunate.

BEN BOELMAN

Placentia