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For the final Classical Series concert of St.Clair’s tenure as music director,  Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale perform the visceral masterpiece on June 5-7 and a Sunday matinee on June 8

Music Director Carl St.Clair brings his 35th anniversary season to an unforgettable close with the transcendent tour-de-force of Verdi’s Requiem. Taking the podium for four final performances as music director, St.Clair fuses the energy, expertise and emotion derived from the last 35 years into a deeply heartfelt performance. Symphony patrons are invited to share in a reflective experience and celebrate St.Clair’s monumental contributions to music in Orange County and elevating Pacific Symphony’s prominence to the global stage.

Known for its dramatic and operatic style, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most frequently performed, renowned choral works, regarded for its powerful “Dies Irae” movement and the ethereal beauty of “Sanctus.” As St.Clair and Pacific Symphony guide the audience through the emotional terrain of this Catholic mass, they are graced by the glorious sound of Pacific Chorale and solo vocalists – a personal request of St.Clair’s – and four soloists Raquel González (soprano), Daryl Freedman (mezzo-soprano), Won Whi Choi (tenor) and Zaikuan Song (bass).

“Can you imagine choosing your final piece? As I planned this performance, I wanted to ensure that it displayed a holistic representation of my time as music director of Pacific Symphony and also honored the audience who has stood by our side over the last 35 years,” said St.Clair. “I thought Pacific Chorale has to be there as well as friends to help me share in this incredibly deeply personal moment in my life. I’ve enjoyed almost half my lifetime with the orchestra with the opportunity to share my God-given talents, for which I am truly grateful.”

The full forces of orchestra and chorus combine to reach thundering heights that will shake the rafters, while the solo vocalists deliver moments of sublime beauty and introspection. This powerful interplay between massed sound and intimate reflection showcases Verdi’s genius and the extraordinary capabilities of the musicians under St.Clair’s baton.

Verdi’s Requiem has been described as an “opera in ecclesiastical dress” for its theatrical power and dramatic force compelling listeners with emotional contrasts and memorable arias. Rich with cultural remembrances, the piece is a celebration of human emotion and existence – a strong parallel of St.Clair’s tenure.

“I wanted to leave my legacy with not just height, but also with depth,” St.Clair continued. “This piece concludes with a silence that fades away, giving us a moment to reflect in a meaningful way. Other music is like a sparkler that goes out quickly. But I want this orchestra to continue with a singular flame.”

“Carl’s greatest triumphs have often come in the realm of choral-orchestral repertoire, where his ability to shape vast musical forces and support vocalists with sensitivity and precision has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said John Forsyte, President and CEO of Pacific Symphony. “To close his tenure with Verdi’s Requiem—a work that demands both overwhelming power and profound intimacy—feels deeply fitting. It also underscores the enduring partnership with Pacific Chorale and artistic director for the Chorale, Robert Istad, whose artistry has been central to some of the most meaningful musical experiences we’ve shared over the last 35 years.”

“A Grand Finale: Verdi’s Mighty Requiem” takes place Thursday-Saturday, June 5-7 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall; a preview talk with KUSC midday host Alan Chapman takes place at 7 p.m. A Sunday matinee performance “Rediscover Verdi’s Requiem” with commentary from St.Clair begins at 3 p.m. on June 8.

This concert is part of the 2024-25 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Season. The June 6 performance is underwritten by Christopher Tower and Bobby Celio, Jr. and the June 8 performance is underwritten by Ted and Janice Smith. Tickets are $57-$248. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit pacificsymphony.org.


About Pacific Symphony
Pacific Symphony, under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over 15 years. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.

Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing.

Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.