Rahvusooperi Jõulukontsert Tallinna Jaani Kirikus

Christmas Concert

On December 15, 2023 at 18.00 in Tallinn St. John’s Church

Conductor: Arvo Volmer

Soloists: Kadri Kõrvek (soprano), Aule Urb (mezzo-soprano), Yixuan Wang (tenor), Raiko Raalik (bass)

Pianist-repetiteur: Jaanika Rand-Sirp

Chief Chorus Master: Heli Jürgenson 

Estonian National Opera Chorus and Orchestra

“Petite messe solennelle” is one of the most important works of Gioachino Rossini’s late artistic period and quite unique among his output, considering that he is mostly known as a prolific author of 39 operas. The mass was written in 1863 for a chamber orchestra, vocal soloists and a 12-member chorus. It premiered on March 14, 1864 in Paris, at the inauguration of Countess Louise Pillet-Will’s private chapel. A little before his death, Rossini orchestrated the piece in fear that otherwise someone else would do it for him. In the introduction of the manuscript, he called it “a sin of my old age” and on the last page he addressed God: “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”. Maestro’s last piece charms with its spirituality and richness of harmonies. It is an amalgam of sacred and secular music, combining Rossini’s profound knowledge of counterpoint and his passion for operatic melodies.