Mass for the traditional Easter concert

‘Messe solennelle en l’honneur de Sainte-Cécile’ is the official name of French composer Charles Gonoud’s mass in homage to the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia.

It is most commonly known as ‘Saint Cecilia Mass’. Composed in 1855 and premiered in Paris that same year, acclaim following the first performance came from Camille Saint-Saëns, who said: “This simplicity, this grandeur, this serene light which rose before the musical world like a breaking dawn ... dazzled, then charmed, then conquered.”

There was surprise as Gounod was better known for his operas and not for sacred music, but for Saint-Saëns it was among his best works. The traditional Easter concert of sacred music at the Teatre Principal will feature the mass. The Orquestra Acadèmia 1830 will be joined by the theatre’s choir and soloists.