SOU brings Verdi’s Messa da Requiem to Life in a Rare and Powerful Week of Events in Ashland

This March, the Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University is set to present a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience that will leave audiences breathless. In collaboration with the Rogue Valley Chorale Association and the City of Ashland, SOU will bring Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem to life in two powerful performances on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, at 3:00 p.m. at the SOU Music Recital Hall.

A masterpiece of staggering intensity and emotion, Verdi’s Requiem is known for its operatic grandeur, blending the sacred and the dramatic in a way only Verdi could achieve. Now, for the first time in years, this choral tour de force will be performed in Southern Oregon with over 170 voices—a rare collaboration between the Southern Oregon University Choirs and the Rogue Valley Chorale.

“Verdi’s Requiem is an emotional and humanistic meditation on life, death, and redemption,” Jorgensen said. “There will be moments when your heart races, and others when you feel the weight of silence. It’s a deeply personal and transformative work,” said Jorgensen.

Adding to the depth of the event, pre-concert lectures at 2:00 p.m. prior to each performance will set the stage for the experience, and audience members will have the chance to participate in an “In Memoriam” tribute, honoring loved ones who have passed.

For those unable to attend in person, the performances will be live streamed for $15/household via the Oregon Center for the Arts YouTube Channel.

Beyond the Concert: A Week of Reflection and Music: The Messa da Requiem performances are just part of a week-long series of events that explore the deeper meaning of Verdi’s work and its lasting impact on history and culture.

A Story of Resilience: The Defiant Requiem Film Screening: Few performances of Verdi’s Requiem are as poignant as the one given by 150 Jewish prisoners at the Terezín concentration camp during World War II. With only a single copy of the score, they learned the entire 90-minute work and performed it as a form of defiance against their Nazi captors. This powerful story is captured in the award-winning documentary The Defiant Requiem, which will be screened at the Varsity Theatre in Ashland on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by The Defiant Requiem Foundation, this free screening (ticket required) will be followed by a Q&A discussion. “This film reminds us that music can be a tool for resistance, resilience, and remembrance,” Jorgensen said. “It shows how art can give hope even in the darkest times.”

Public Masterclass with Renowned Soloists: On the eve of the Requiem performances – Friday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SOU Music Recital Hall, music lovers and aspiring vocalists alike will have the opportunity to see the art of interpretation up close. A free masterclass will feature the four professional soloists performing in the Requiem: soprano Christi McLain, mezzo-soprano Robyn Rocklein, tenor Justin Staebell, and bass Benjamin Sieverding. SOU students, alumni, and local singers will take the stage, receiving real-time feedback and coaching from these accomplished artists. “The chance to work with performers of this caliber is an invaluable experience for our students and community,” Jorgensen noted. “This is what the Master Voices Series is all about—bringing together artists, students, and audiences in a meaningful way.” Free and open to the public. No tickets required.

A Grand Musical Tradition Begins: The Messa da Requiem performances will also mark the official launch of the Master Voices Series, a new annual collaboration between SOU and the Rogue Valley Chorale. Designed to bring large-scale choral and orchestral masterworks to the Rogue Valley, this initiative promises to elevate the region’s musical landscape.

As SOU prepares to welcome audiences for this awe-inspiring event, Jorgensen encourages all to take part in what promises to be a profound and moving experience.

For those who love history, music, and the power of human resilience, this is a week not to be missed. Whether you come for the music, the film, or the masterclass, Verdi’s Messa da Requiem promises to stir the soul and leave a lasting impact.

“We are honored to bring this work to our community. It’s a massive undertaking, but one that is deeply rewarding,” Jorgensen said. “Whether you attend in person or watch the livestream, you won’t forget this performance.”

For tickets & event information visit sou.universitytickets.com