Heaven is a place on earth: Verdi's Requiem in Saratoga Springs

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra

Sasha Cooke, Ailyn Pérez, Matthew Polenzani and Alfred Walker with Albany Pro Musica

By Cameron Kelsall, 15 August 2025

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“this was catharsis, pure and simple”

Reviewed at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga on 14 August 2025

Verdi, Messa da Requiem

Ailyn Pérez, Soprano

Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-soprano

Matthew Polenzani, Tenor

Alfred Walker, Bass-baritone

Albany Pro Musica

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

A superb Salzburg sojourn: Philadelphia Orchestra plays Mozart

Cameron Kelsall, 11th April

Guest conductor Harry Bicket brings a sense of urgency to Mozart's Requiem and pulse-quickening energy to Symphony no. 40.

****1

Energy, precision and drama from the Philadelphia Orchestra

Susan Stempleski, 31st March

Marin Alsop is joined by pianist Hayato Sumino as she conducts the Philadelphians in an exhilarating program of works by John Adams, Gershwin and Prokofiev.

****1

Amy Beach’s Gaelic returns to Philadelphia after 100-year absence

Cameron Kelsall, 12th March

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s latest concert also features Liszt’s Second Piano Concerto with Marc-André Hamelin.

****1

When we dead awaken: Mahler 2 returns to Philadelphia

Cameron Kelsall, 8th March

Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra deliver a supreme meditation on the power of music and faith.

*****

Hilary Hahn returns to the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra

Cameron Kelsall, 13th February

After a six-month break to address persistent injuries, the bravura violinist appears in one of her signature pieces: Prokofiev's Violin Concerto no. 1.

***11

Rarities surround Tchaikovsky favorite at the Philadelphia Orchestra

Cameron Kelsall, 6th February

Concertmaster David Kim performs Tchaikovsky's ever-popular Violin Concerto, and conductor Rafael Payare revisits Falla's El amor brujo.

***11

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Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.