Petite Messe Solennelle by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868): a masterpiece of rare quality!

No matter how many times you have heard the beginning of this Petite Messe Solennelle, each time you are surprised by the beginning: mysterious and very rhythmic! The tones of the instruments, the singers and the melody come to you, as it were, from silence. The power of Rossini. He could surprise his audience like no other.

The duration is over an hour and a half and is full of pace, drama, moving passages and compelling melodies. The mass was written for a private chapel. Hence the original scoring was small: two pianos, one harmonium, four soloists and eight singers. The Sallands Bach Choir also keeps it relatively "small. The choir and the four young soloists, Meike Wijma, soprano, Marijke Beute, alto, Matthijs Hoogendijk, tenor and Roele Kok, bass, are accompanied by a grand piano (Jan de Roos) and a (classical) accordion (Ellen Zijm). An accordion is versatile, gives a specific and intimate sound and is more pliable than a harmonium.

This also makes phrasing more audible. The whole ensemble is under the inspiring leadership of conductor Leendert Runia. Welcome! You too will be enchanted by this beautiful mass!