The Commonwealth Chorale will present Mozart’s Requiem on Sunday, March 11, 3 p.m. at Farmville Presbyterian Church, 200 W.3rd St. and again on Sunday, March 18, 3 p.m. at Farmville United Methodist Church, 212 High St.

Included in each performance are selections from the Easter portion of Handel’s Messiah. Both free concerts are open to the public; no tickets are required. The performances will be conducted by Artistic Director Norma Williams and accompanied by noted Richmond organist, Jeffrey Hummel. Soprano soloists are Meg Sandridge-Mangum and Sarah Reynolds; alto solos are sung by Judy Amos, Jane Hohn, and Barbara Haughwout. Tenor soloists are Alex Haskins and Paul Robelen, while bass solos are sung by John Arehart, Reginald Davis, and Robert Horn. For further information, call (434) 392-7545 or visit the Chorale’s website at www.commonwealthchorale.org or Facebook page at https://facebook. com/commonwealthchoraleva/

The uplifting Easter message of hope, redemption and renewal is central to each of these beloved oratorios. In July, 1791, Mozart was commissioned to produce a requiem, or funeral Mass, for an anonymous private patron. Ironically, however, he himself fell ill during the composing of Requiem and died before completing it, thus lending a tragic poignancy to his final composition. One can imagine that Mozart knew as he worked that he was the Easter season. The Commonwealth Chorale is pleased to bring this glorious and transcendent music to the communities of Southside Virginia.