Concert Dates & Notes

For the current season

Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle

Saturday 11th November 2023, 7.30 p.m.

St. Mary's Church, The Causeway, Horsham

Our first concert of the year features this much loved choral work, written for the unusual accompaniment of piano and harmonium.   Giaochino Rossini (1792 - 1868) was a prolific composer, already writing and performing his first sonatas when he was a mere 12-year old.  In all he wrote 39 serious and comic operas (think ‘William Tell’, ‘The Barber of Seville’), many piano pieces, songs, and both sacred and chamber music.   The Petite Messe Solonnelle was written in 1863.    A translation of the title would be 'Small Solemn Mass' but it is neither small and sometimes far from solemn, this most naturally witty of composers playing with his audience's expectations in this his final major work. 

Our programme will begin with the overture to Rossini’s ‘Il barbiere di Siviglia’ for piano duet, followed by César Franck’s ‘Prélude, Fugue et Variation’ Op. 18 for harmonium & piano duo. 

There will be an interval after the first part of the Petite Messe Solonnelle when drinks will be available for a donation, provided by and for the benefit of the children's hospice Chestnut Tree House.  Information about them and their amazing work can be found here >>

 

Christmas Concert

Saturday 16th December 2023, 7.30 p.m.

The Chapel, Christ's Hospital, Horsham

Without doubt our most popular concert of the year, and we're delighted that the school's organist Jonathan Lee will be accompanying us on the newly refurbished chapel organ.  Full details of the programme is here >> and, as in previous years, there is something for everyone and several well known carols for the audience to sing with us.

Summer Concert

Saturday 8th June 2024, 7.30 p.m.

The Chapel, Christ's Hospital, Horsham

"Summer in France", a concert of French Music by composers Duruflé, Fauré and Villette.  Full details of the programme are here >>