Programme of Sacred Music includes

Brahms  

Op.110 no.2 Ach, arme welt

Op.74 no.1   Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Muhseligen

Grieg   

Ave maris stella

Rheinberger 

Op. 69 no.3  Abenlied

Gioacchino Rossini 1792 -1868 

Messe Solennelle

Rossini is remembered primarily for his great contribution to the Italian operatic repertoire. The Messe Solennelle, composed in 1863, is one of only two pieces of sacred music he produced, both of which came late in life, long after the triumphant success in 1829 of his last opera ‘William Tell’. The Messe Solennelle (often referred to by Rossini as his ‘Petite Messe’) is completely original in the sacred repertoire, it is dramatic, powerful and embodies a romanticism more often associated with his operatic works. For all that, it contains moments of real spiritual intensity, in keeping with the text of the Mass.

Soloists: Catherine Bass, Sarah Joskey, Glyn Jones, Chris Markwick and Martin Warren