Venue - The Abbey School, Kendrick Road, Reading

 

Our autumn concert features two contrasting works written over 100 years apart. The
Messa di Gloria by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was written as a graduation
exercise early in his career in 1880. However it was not published until 1951 –
Puccini had filed it away as his farewell to composing sacred music. It is an
uncomplicated work. Its style is direct and unashamedly operatic, and it is clearly
influenced by Puccini’s hero, Verdi.
John Rutter (b.1945) composed his Magnificat in 1990. It is a joyous work inspired
by feast day festivities in Latin American countries. The extended composition is in
seven movements based on the Latin text, interspersed with “Of a Rose, a lovely
Rose“, an anonymous 15 th century English poem, the beginning of the Sanctus, and
a prayer to Mary.

 

 

Christmas Concert - Friday 11/12/2026 at Tilehurst Methodist Church