Little Solemn Mass

Gioachino Rossini was a good Catholic, but he was also a showman. ‘Oh Lord’ he prayed, ‘Thou knowest well that I was born to write comic opera.’ So when he came to write his Solemn Mass, he couldn’t help filling it with cheerful rhythms, brilliant operatic solos and tune after irresistibly hummable tune.

Royal Festival Hall