Gioachino Rossini: Petite Messe solennelle

In the organizer's words:

Exactly 70 years ago, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden founded the Tölz Boys' Choir, which he directed until 2016 and is now one of the most famous and successful boys' choirs in the world. After a long illness, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden died on April 19, 2026 at the age of 88 in Benediktbeuern, Upper Bavaria. The concert is being held in his memory.

The Petite Messe solennelle by Gioachino Rossini is one of the most extraordinary sacred works of the 19th century. Contrary to its title, it is not a "small" mass, but a multi-layered composition of great expressive power.
Rossini wrote the work in 1863 for a chamber music ensemble: a small choir, two pianos and harmonium. This original version is at the heart of the performance and opens up a finely nuanced world of sound far removed from large orchestral ensembles.
The mixture of female, male and boys' voices and countertenor as well as historical instruments enable an authentic approach to Rossini's conception of sound. His differentiated dynamic gradations - down to the finest pianissimo nuances - develop great emotional depth.
The Petite Messe solennelle thus appears as a personal, intimate late work by Rossini - characterized by spirituality, modesty and tonal refinement.

Program:

Gioachino Rossini: Petite Messe solennelle in the original version for choir, two pianos and harmonium

Performers:

Lydia Teuscher, soprano
Terry Wey, alto
Aco Bišćević, tenor
Niklas Mallmann, bass
Christoph Hammer, piano
Shenglong Li, piano
Joachim Diessner, harmonium
Soloists of the Tölzer Knabenchor
Christian Fliegner, conductor

The Tölz Boys' Choir was founded in 1956 by Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden and was already one of the most sought-after and versatile boys' choirs just a few years after its foundation. With pioneering interpretations, particularly in the field of baroque music, the Tölz Boys' Choir made a not inconsiderable contribution to the change in musical performance practice. Since the 1970s, Tölz soloists have taken on the boys' roles at Europe's leading opera houses and concert halls. The choir is also in demand for performances of major oratorio and symphonic works with renowned orchestras and conductors. Artistic personalities such as Carl Orff, August Everding, Hans Werner Henze, Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Leonhardt, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Claudio Abbado were among the choir's early patrons. Herbert von Karajan even described the Tölzer Knabenchor at the time as "one of the best choirs in the world". The artistic director is former soprano soloist Christian Fliegner. He is supported by a team of eight vocal coaches and choirmasters. Ursula Richter is in charge of the soloist section.

Price information:

Ticket purchase via the Elbphilharmonie website