Puccini - Messa di Gloria
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The popular opera composer of La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly composed this melodic Mass early in his career as his graduation exam from the Istituto Musicale Pacini. It was first performed in Lucca on 12th July 1880 when Puccini was only 22-years-old and was not performed again until 1952 in Chicago, 28 years after his death. However, he re-used some of its themes in his operas, such as the Agnus Dei in Manon Lescaut and the Kyrie in Edgar.
“This has Puccini stamped all over it. Choirs are truly blessed that Puccini wrote this one piece for full choir and the world would be a sadder place without it. If you like La Boheme, Tosca and Madama Butterfly, you will love this”
Founder of The Puccini Society
In typical Puccini style, it is a work full of melodies and readily singable tunes. Ellie Slorach, our Course Director, is currently arranging for a new recording of a full orchestra for this course in isolation, so each instrumentalist will record from home. The orchestra is the Orchestra For The Earth which has played for us in Mahler 2 and is currently recording Beethoven 9th and Mahler 8 as well.
“That was, without question, the stand out musical highlight of my life.”
Jane, Member of The Self-Isolation Choir
Join us for Puccini - Messa di Gloria
How it Will Work
Ellie Slorach will teach us the entire work online with LIVE rehearsals, firstly for full choir and then for separate voices so you will have her full attention as she teaches you your own part. We shall have a month of May 2021 to learn the piece. Then we have the month of June to record our own voices which we shall combine in the studio for a full concert performance on 31st July 2021 with the full orchestra and soloists.
WEEK ONE
FULL CHOIR - recorded
Soprano - recorded
Alto - recorded
Tuesday 18th May 12:00 - Tenor
Tuesday 18th May 13:15 - Bass
WEEK TWO
Sunday 23rd May 15:00 - FULL CHOIR
Monday 24th May 12:00 - Soprano
Monday 24th May 13:15 - Alto
Monday 24th May 15:00 - Tenor
Monday 24th May 16:15 - Bass
WEEK THREE
Tuesday 1st June 15:00 - FULL CHOIR
Wednesday 2nd June 15:00 - Soprano
Wednesday 2nd June 16:30 - Alto
Thursday 3rd June 15:00 - Tenor
Thursday 3rd June 16:30 - Bass
WEEK FOUR
Tuesday 8th June 15:00 - FULL CHOIR
Wednesday 9th June 15:00 - Soprano
Wednesday 9th June 16:30 - Alto
Thursday 10th June 15:00 - Tenor
Thursday 10th June 16:30 - Bass
Friday 11th June: 12:00 - Complete Sing-Through and Recording opens
Tuesday 29th June 15:00 - SING THROUGH
Monday 5th July 22:00 - Close of Recording
Saturday 31st July 19:00 SIC CONCERT PREMIERE
“I don’t think I can ever go back to a “normal” choir after this”
Peter, member of The Self-Isolation Choir
Course Director
For this course we welcome back the popular Ellie Slorach who is currently leading The Self-Isolation Choir in Rossini - Petite Messe Solennelle and recently completed a course for us on St. John Passion. Ellie and the orchestra will record and produce the entire work for us in isolation. We are delighted to have her as our Course Director as we learn and sing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria.
As is usual with The Self-Isolation Choir, she will take LIVE rehearsals in each voice part so that she can concentrate on your own part exclusively for the whole rehearsal.
Course Fee
The cost of the course is £40 per person. This includes:
All tuition, rehearsals and backing tracks with professional singers to assist our learning
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An online score
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The recording instructions
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An orchestra recorded specially for this project
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A Concert Premiere performance
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A bespoke Mosaic picture featuring the whole choir, orchestra & soloists
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MP3 files of the final mixed SIC tracks for you to keep
Please note: The Self-Isolation Choir has been careful to ensure there are minimal rehearsal clashes in 2021, however rehearsal and course times are subject to change.
