A SPECIAL commemorative concert featuring Mozart’s Requiem is set to take place in a Worcestershire village, this weekend.

Crowle Singers will be performing the famous masterpiece, which was written in somewhat spooky and controversial circumstances, as well as other music, at Crowle Church on Saturday June 30 at 7.30pm.

The ailing Mozart was commissioned to write the requiem by a “grey messenger” and, apparently, he came to believe it was his own requiem he was writing, although in fact it was a certain Count Walsegg who had commissioned it.

A spokesman said: “The concert will be in aid of Help the Heroes to coincide with this year being the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

“The 12-strong choir will also be performing Stars by Eriks Esenvalds and O vos omnes, which has been composed by conductor Kevin Dowson and will be dedicated to those who lost their lives in the 2017 Manchester bombing.”

Mr Dowson added: ““Ever since I performed Mozart’s Requiem with the Droitwich Community Choir in 1984 I’ve been inspired to one day realise a performance of this work in a manner that emphasises what I consider to be the most wonderful romantic harmony ever written in such a piece.

“With this year being the 100th year anniversary of peace after the end of WW1 it seems absolutely the right time to reconcile a 34-year dream alongside the nation’s commemoration of the sacrifice made by all those who fought to give us our freedom.”

Mr Dowson said: “This hard won freedom has allowed us all to reap the benefits of self-expression in our own unique ways, be they artistic, literal or emotional.

“In a similar way, I’ve been moved to present this piece in a manner befitting the time in which we live and the context of this concert.”

Tickets are £10 for adults, £8 for senior citizens and £5 for under 18s.

They are available from Crowle Post Office or by calling 07947 169099.