Although Rossini saw his Stabat Mater as a work of sacred music the lyrical style in which Rossini sets his composition is in parts, quite operatic in character. This is in contrast to the solemnity of the thirteenth-century text. He declared, “The music should be of the finest quality” and the Stabat Mater is indeed full of glorious music.
Puccini is most famous for his contribution to the world of opera even though he began his musical career playing and composing church music. As his musical studies progressed, it was clear that young Puccini possessed the talent to become one of the world's greatest operatic composers – and his Messa di Gloria is evidence of such promise. Puccini himself wrote: "the Almighty touched me with his little finger and said, 'Write for the theatre - mind, only for the theatre!
For these two wonderful works Harrogate Choral are joined by the the Amici Ensemble; Sarah Power, Soprano; Adriana Festeu, Mezzo Soprano; Nicholas Watts, Tenor; and Stephen Gadd, Bass; all conducted by Andrew Padmore.
