Saturday 17 May 2025, 7.30pm

Chester Cathedral

Heather Buckmaster soprano
Joyce Tindsley mezzo-soprano
Joseph Buckmaster tenor
Armand Rabot bass
Chester Music Society Choir
Graham Eccles Piano
Jon Barton harmonium
Graham Jordan Ellis conductor

tickets, priced at £30 (nave), £25 (West Steps) and £15 (side aisles).
CLICK HERE to read more about ticketing
CLICK HERE to go direct to the online booking page

The Petite messe Solenelle is structured in several extended movements in the tradition of the missa solemnis, but the composer labelled it petite with a grain of irony. He wrote on the last page of the autograph manuscript

Dear Lord, here it is finished, this poor little mass. Have I just written sacred music, or rather, sacrilegious music? I was born for opera buffa, as you well know. Not much technique, a little bit of heart, that's all. Blessings to you and grant me Paradise.

The unusual scoring for voices, piano and harmonium is in the Neapolitan harpsichord tradition of the 18th century. Rossini specified, on the second page of his manuscript, twelve singers in all, noting on the title page: "Twelve singers of three sexes, men, women and castrati will suffice for its execution: that is, eight for the choir, four soloists, in all twelve cherubim".

Here is a sneak preview of the Choir's plans beyond the current season

Beyond 22 November 2025 all dates are still provisional

22 November 2025        French Masterpieces of the 20th Century
                                     Poulenc Gloria
                                    Ravel Ma Mère L’oye
                                    Duruflé Requiem

December 2025         Christmas Crackers
            
March 2026               Beethoven Missa Solemnis
                        
May 2026                  Favourite Sacred Choruses

November 2026        Walton Belshazzar’s Feast
            
December 2026         Christmas Crackers
            
March 2027               Dvorak Stabat Mater