The Messiah Project Chorale, directed by Sharon Wilkins, will perform Giacomo Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” Sunday March 22nd at 7:30pm at All Saints Anglican Church, 2751 E. Galloway. Puccini’s composition—his first major work as he completed his advanced music studies--was lost between the two world wars but since its rediscovery in the 1950s it’s entered the choral repertoire as a challenging yet inspiring work for choirs and soloists. Puccini shared a rich family heritage in sacred music. Joining the Messiah Project Chorale will be Jonathan Story, who took on the task of adapting the work's large orchestral accompaniment for organ.
Interestingly, the work is scored for just two male vocal soloists, tenor and baritone. Messiah Project director Lindsay Robison is taking the baritone part himself. He says he usually doesn't sing solos at the group's local concerts, "but when we're on tour I do a lot of solo work, and I really enjoy it." But he really wanted to sing in this work. "When you do this (piece) you hear all the wonderful strains of Puccini that you hear in all of his operas." Joining Lindsay Robison will be a young tenor from Lima, Peru, Jonathan Chavez, from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Father Douglas McGlynn, Rector of All Saints Anglican Church, will provide some special insights into the work’s music and text. For more information call Messiah Project at 883-5274 or email messiahpro@sbcglobal.net.
