Gioachino Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle

The Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) may be best known for his operas, including The Barber of Seville and William Tell, although he also wrote sacred music, chamber music and instrumental pieces. After his self-imposed “retirement” in 1829 he wrote little for public hearing, but after years of various physical and mental illnesses, he slowly returned to music. The Petite Messe Solennelle is included in his collection Péchés de vieillesse ("Sins of Old Age"), which are grouped into 14 volumes, mostly for solo piano, occasionally for voice and various chamber ensembles. Often whimsical, these pieces display Rossini’s natural ease of composition, a gift for melody, and the obvious influences of Beethoven and Chopin.

This work, written during his residence in Passy, a suburb of Paris, was first performed at the dedication in March 1864 of the private chapel in the home of the Comtesse de Pillet-Will, to whom Rossini dedicated this piece. Napoleon III is said to have characterized the music as "neither little, nor solemn, nor particularly liturgical."  The structure nevertheless contains the typical movements of a Mass:  Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei.

The Newton Community Chorus, conductor Richard Travers, pianist Monique Weiss Byrnes, and organist James Busby, and soloists Michael Pelletier (bass), Rebecca Krouner (contralto), Laura Harbert (soprano) and Salvatore Atti (tenor) welcome you to a stirring performance of this beautiful work.  Tickets ($15, seniors/students $10) will be available online and at the door.