Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle

St Georges Singers, Poynton

Rossini composed his ‘Little Solemn Mass’ in 1863, more than thirty years after he had retired from writing operas, describing it as ‘the last of my sins of old age’. In structure a missa solemnis, the work is scored for the unusual ensemble of four soloists, a small chorus, two pianos and harmonium, and was composed originally for private performance, though Rossini himself later scored the work for full orchestra. It is the most substantial of the works written during Rossini’s Indian summer of composition. Neither petite nor particularly solennelle, despite the religious text the Mass is unmistakeably operatic in style, ranging from hushed intensity to boisterous high spirits, and abounding in memorable tunes and rhythmic vitality.

In this concert the choir will be performing this joyous work with piano and harmonium accompaniment.

Conductor: Neil Taylor

Piano: Peter Durrant

Harmonium: Benjamin Newlove

Soloists: Hayley Swanton, Jessica Conway, Alex Grainger, Terence Ayebare