Gioachino Rossini's Petite messe solennelle (Little Solemn Mass) was written in 1863. The composer himself, who gave up composing operas more than 30 years ago, described it as "the last of my Péchés de vieillesse" (sins of old age). The vast work is a missa solemnis (solemn mass), but Rossini referred to it, not without irony, as petite (small). He originally wrote the score for twelve singers, including four soloists, two pianos and a harmonium. The mass was performed for the first time on March 14, 1864 in Paris. Rossini later performed an orchestral version, including the added part "O salutaris hostia" as a soprano aria. This version of the Mass was not performed during his lifetime because he could not obtain permission to perform it in a church, as it features female singers. This is how it was first performed three months after his death, at the Salle Ventadour in Paris by the Théâtre-Italien on February 24, 1869.

The music is captivating and completely absorbs and enthralls the audience.

They act:

Košice teachers' choir 

Michael Várady - soprano

Myroslava Havryliuk - mezzo-soprano 

Maksym Kutsenko - tenor

Marián Lukáč - baritone

Júlia Grejtáková - piano 

Daniel Boronkay - harmonium 

Conductor: Maroš Potokár

Entrance fee: €15

Tickets on sale at www.predpredaj.sk and Kežmarská information agency

The project is supported from the budget of the Prešov self-governing region.