Sven Helbig Announces 'REQUIEM A' UK Premiere in London

On October 4, 2025, Central Hall Westminster in London - the historic site of the first United Nations meeting - will host the UK premiere of REQUIEM A by German composer Sven Helbig, recently released on the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label. The work, a meditation on grief, memory, and renewal, will be performed by the London Contemporary Orchestra, joined by four European choirs – the Dresdner Kreuzchor, Trinity Boys Choir, Poznań Boys’ Choir, and La Maîtrise de Garçons de Colmar - under the baton of Martin Lehmann. Renowned bass René Pape, celebrated for his performances with the Berlin State Opera and New York’s Metropolitan Opera, will appear as the soloist.

REQUIEM A blends classical orchestration, choral tradition, and electronics. Inspired by Sven Helbig's personal reflections on history and conversations with his daughter, Ida, the work meditates on human resilience and the possibility of new beginnings. The Requiem's nine movements, including bass arias performed by René Pape, move the listener from collective memory to personal reflection. "Never before has one of my concerts carried such intensity - on a personal, artistic, and political level. I began Requiem A in a state of deep disillusionment and, thanks to my daughter, brought it to completion with renewed hope. To now share this work in London alongside such outstanding artists is profoundly meaningful to me," says Sven Helbig. Tickets for the London premiere are available now, offering audiences a rare chance to experience one of Europe's most innovative contemporary composers at the height of his creative powers.

Category: Live Music | Classical