Oxford News
Rossini – Petite Messe Solennelle, Summertown Choral Society
Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle
Gioachino Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle is a work of radiant contrasts — intimate yet expansive, devotional yet full of operatic colour. Far from the austerity its title suggests, it reveals Rossini at his most human: tender, witty, luminous, and deeply moving. This is music that stirs the spirit and lingers long after the final note fades.
For this performance, Summertown Choral Society is joined by four exceptional soloists —
Louise Wayman – soprano
Ruby Bak – mezzo soprano
Samuel Rose – tenor
Harrison Robb – baritone
— with harmonium adding its distinctive warmth and character.
As a special highlight, pianist Julian Littlewood will perform Rossini’s Première communion from Péchés de vieillesse, a miniature full of charm and expressive delicacy.
Together, these artists promise an evening that feels less like a concert and more like a celebration of spring, artistry, and shared beauty.
We would be delighted to welcome you to a night of music that inspires, surprises, and reminds us why live performance matters.