Programme

For this production of Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle, we wished for a rendition very close to that of the original piece’s. We chose a similar cast to that of its 1864 premiere, which was performed by about fifteen choir singers and four soloists – our team will comprise sixteen singers and four soloists – two pianofortes and a harmonium.

Our approach for this romantic piece is the same approach we choose to perform earlier music: firstly, the choice of period instruments for its interpretation is considered essential; secondly, by showing great curiosity for the historical context of its composition, an era when a large number of musicians rediscovered early music, such as Palestrina’s polyphonies or the work of Bach and Haendel.

The Petite messe solennelle combines many different styles, from bel canto arias to references to early polyphonic writing. Many questions therefore arise regarding its interpretation. We do not pretend being able to perform the piece exactly as it was premiered; however, we do intend to use all available musicological knowledge and expertise in polyphony and early music to highlight and contrast the different writing styles used in the piece.

Les Elements chamber choir frequently performs romantic music.  Rossini is well-known to us from singing his Stabat Mater with the Orchestre de chambre de Paris, performing the choir parts of the Barber of Seville with Jean-Christophe Spinosi and his ensemble Matheus, and more recently, performing as choir for the production of the Comte Ory at the Opéra Comique in 2017 with the Orchestre des Champs Elysées on period instruments, conducted by Louis Langrée and staged by Denis Podalydès. It is therefore with great curiosity, and pleasure, that we choose to interpret this very interesting piece for the first time.

Joël Suhubiette