War Requiem The chamber orchestra accompanies the intimate settings of the English poetry, while soprano, choirs and orchestra are used for the Latin sections; all forces are combined in the conclusion. The Requiem has a duration of approximately 80-85 minutes. The "War Requiem", first performed on 30 May 1962, was commissioned to mark the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral, which was built after the original fourteenth-century structure was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid. The reconsecration was an occasion for an arts festival, for which Michael Tippett also wrote his opera "King Priam". Britten, a pacifist, was inspired by
Drapers' Hall, Coventry building would be converted into a music centre. The building is built in Greek Revival style and was designed by Thomas Rickman and H. Hutchinson. The building has been opened to the public under the auspices of the Heritage Open Days scheme. Drapers' Hall, Coventry Drapers' Hall is a historic building (Grade II* listed) in the Cathedral Quarter of Coventry built in 1832 by the Drapers' Company, a large trading guild in Coventry. The present building is believed to the third guildhall on the site. Drapers' Hall was constructed 1831-32 to be the headquarters of the Coventry Drapers' Guild, and