Manchester Composer Creates Atlantic Requiem Honouring Enslaved 2026

Manchester-based composer David Önaç has created a powerful new work, Atlantic Requiem, to honour the memory of enslaved Africans. The piece, which premieres on Sunday at LSO St Luke's in London, is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers. Commissioned by the arts and heritage charity Culture&, the project emerged from research into Lloyd's of London, the historic insurance market whose members helped insure ships and enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.

Dr Errol Francis, artistic director and chief executive of Culture&, was struck by the contradiction in a centuries-old insurance document that began with the words: "In the name of God, Amen." The document detailed the trafficking of enslaved Africans, treating human beings as cargo. This paradox inspired the idea of transforming such documents into a requiem. The 40-minute, five-movement work combines Catholic liturgy, historic insurance documents, and testimony about the killing of an enslaved African woman aboard a ship in 1790.

Musical Language and Influences

Önaç's musical language blends contemporary classical composition with jazz, gospel, and other traditions that emerged on both sides of the Atlantic. This fusion reflects the cultural intersections of the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact. The performances, taking place during Black History Month, are conducted by Grammy award-winning conductor Malcolm J Merriweather.

The requiem is not just a musical composition; it is a historical reckoning. By incorporating actual insurance documents, Önaç forces listeners to confront the commodification of human life. The work gives voice to those who were silenced, turning bureaucratic records into a memorial.

Key Takeaways

• Atlantic Requiem premieres at LSO St Luke's, London, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers.
• Commissioned by Culture&, the work grew from research into Lloyd's of London's role in insuring enslaved Africans.
• Composer David Önaç blends contemporary classical, jazz, and gospel music to honour enslaved Africans.
• The piece uses historic insurance documents and testimony to create a powerful memorial.
• Performances coincide with Black History Month and are conducted by Malcolm J Merriweather.

Comparing Historical and Musical Elements

The table below contrasts the historical context with the musical response in Atlantic Requiem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Atlantic Requiem is more than a concert; it is an act of remembrance. By transforming documents of oppression into a requiem, David Önaç and Culture& ensure that the stories of enslaved Africans are heard and honoured.