This seldom heard performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, in its original scoring for choir, soloists, two pianos and harmonium promises to be one of the highlights of this year's Endler Concert Series: This gripping, almost operatic work's tremendous original success led Rossini to later orchestrate it, but this original and more unusual version, with its fascinating instrumental textures, remained his favourite of the two.
A large choir composed of SU Voice Division's current and past students will be led by José Dias from the piano, joined also by Carla van der Westhuizen on second piano, and Prof Mario Nell at the harmonium.