Rossini | Petite messe solennelle

In Rossini’s Petite Messe solenelle (1863-1867), sacred tones blend in seamlessly with allusions to his comic operas. «Is this sacred music which I have written or music of the devil?», the composer tellingly asked himself in a personal letter. Rossini’s enigmatic but highly enjoyable mass demonstrates his rich musical palette, ranging from «archaic» remnants of Bach, Haydn and Mozart to harmonic audacities that point towards the music of Fauré and even Poulenc. Despite this stylistic range, the Petite Messe solennelle sounds unmistakably Rossinian, and continues to enchant audiences to this day. Initially composed for a small ensemble of singers accompanied by two pianos and a harmonium, Rossini later orchestrated it himself. The piece is presented here in its orchestral version.

Luxembourg Philharmonic
Wiener Singakademie
Gustavo Gimeno conductor
Eleonora Buratto soprano
Sara Mingardo mezzo-soprano
Kenneth Tarver tenor
Luca Pisaroni bass
Tobias Berndt organ