Concert: *Petite Messe Solennelle* by G. Rossini – Featuring the Saint-Gervais Workshop Choir and the Equinox Vocal Ensemble from Grenoble

The evening opens with the Equinox Vocal Ensemble from Grenoble, who will perform the first part as a prelude. Next comes Gioachino Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. Composed towards the end of his life, this work bears an ironic title: it is neither ‘petite’ nor truly ‘solennelle’. In it, Rossini displays all his melodic verve and theatrical flair, in choral writing that is both elegant and full of life. Its original instrumentation, understated and distinctive, will be faithfully reproduced here: two pianos or a piano and a harmonium in the original version, replaced here by a piano and an accordion, which lend the accompaniment a warm and unexpected colour. The Saint-Gervais workshop choir, brought together for a workshop, is conducted by Anne Laffilhe. It is accompanied on the piano by Chantal Dubé and on the accordion by Jean-Luc Manca. The solo parts are sung by Lorraine Tisserant (soprano), Anne Laffilhe (alto), Aurélien Duclos (tenor) and Arnaud Léger (bass). This concert is organised as part of the Val Montjoie Music School’s 2026/2027 season, with the support of its institutional partners. It offers an opportunity to discover, or rediscover, a major work from the sacred repertoire in an intimate, heritage-rich setting.