Music and the Choir

Abbey Choir visit to Rome and Montecassino: Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul Papal Mass

29th June 2012 at 9:00 am

St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican

The Choir of Westminster Abbey will join the Cappella Musicale Pontificia ‘Sistina’ (the Sistine Chapel Choir) to sing at this important annual liturgy presided over by Pope Benedict XV1, during which the Pallium (an ecclesiastical vestment symbolising Papal authority) will be imposed on new Metropolitan Archbishops from around the world. The occasion will be of historic musical significance, since it is the first time in its long history that the Sistine Chapel Choir has sung publicly with another choir.

Music sung by the two choirs together will include movements from Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli and the motet Tu es Petrus. The Choir of Westminster Abbey alone will sing repertory from the English tradition, including music by Byrd (Ave verum corpus and Laudibus in sanctis), Tallis (Loquebantur variis linguis), and Purcell (I was glad).

Tickets (free of charge) are required and are available from the Prefecture of the Papal Household.