Next Concert

Saturday 6 April 2019, 7:30pm

High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden

Rossini - Petite Messe Solennelle

Charlotte-Anne Shipley - Soprano

Jennifer Westwood - Mezzo-soprano

Martin Hindmarsh - Tenor

James Gower - Bass

Matthew Woodward - Piano

Linden Innes-Hopkins - Piano

Martin Ford - Harmonium

Rufus Frowde - Conductor

Tickets: Unreserved £14; Students £7; Under 16 free (ticket required)

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Petite Messe Solennelle (Little solemn mass) was Rossini's last major composition, and dates from 1863. With typical ironic wit, the Mass is neither 'Petite' (75 minutes long in performance) nor 'Solennelle'.

The composer, who had retired from composing operas more than 30 years before, described it as "the last of my péchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age). He scored it originally for twelve singers, four of them soloists, two pianos and harmonium.

It was first performed on 14 March 1864 on the occasion of the dedication of the private chapel of the Comte and Comtesse Pillet-Will in their new home in the Rue Moncey, Paris.

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