Rochester’s ancient Cathedral will be the magnificent setting for two exquisite pieces of choral church music in this Summer Concert by Rochester Choral Society with the Rochester Sinfonietta, conducted by John Hancorn. In Mozart’s “Solemn Vespers,” composed for liturgical use in Salzburg Cathedral, six movements create a musical rainbow of contrasting moods, based on five psalms including his well-known and beautiful setting of “Laudate Dominum” and concluding with a boisterously celebratory setting of the “Magnificat” canticle for Vespers. Haydn’s “Theresienmesse,” completed in 1799, is another work of emotional variety and rhythmic energy. One of six masses written for his patron, Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy II, it is named after Maria Theresa, the empress consort of Francis II, the first emperor of Austria, who was herself an accomplished soprano soloist.
In this performance, vocal soloists will be:
Susan Young, Soprano
Janet Shell, Mezzo-soprano
Michael Jamieson Smith, Tenor
Colin Campbell, Bass
