The performance is at its best in the contributions of the four soloists. US soprano Julianna Di Giacomo brings vibrant tone and plenty of personal commitment to the top line...DeYoung supplies consistently grand and consistently Italianate vocalism...Best of all is Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, whose firmness and authority make him a formidable exponent of the bass part.

Dudamel favours broad tempi, an approach reinforced by his baton-less direction...he draws beautifully nuanced playing from his highly responsive orchestra and offstage trumpeters...The diction of the well-drilled Los Angeles Master Chorale is exemplary, with crisp enunciation, perfect tuning and unanimity of attack.

[D’Arcangelo] is an imposing vocal presence...He gives us some excellent Verdi singing, founded on rock-solid technique, and I warmed very much to his performance...[Di Giacomo] impressed me a lot...chorally and orchestrally this is a good Verdi Requiem. The solo team offers a mixed experience and the conducting has fire and flair.

Dudamel conducting at the Hollywood Bowl might not sound the path to gravity that this work demands, but in fact that’s just what this performance delivers. Dudamel’s Los Angeles forces are superbly drilled...The four soloists are well-matched...Best of all is Juliana DiGiacomo, , whose soprano has the soaring line to dominate proceedings.