London Philharmonic Orchestra: Rossini's Petite messe solennelle

Gioachino Rossini was a good Catholic, but he was also a showman. ‘Oh Lord’ he prayed, ‘Thou knowest well that I was born to write comic opera.’ So when he came to write his ‘Solemn Mass’, he couldn’t help filling it with cheerful rhythms, brilliant operatic solos and tune after irresistibly hummable tune. Sacred music doesn’t get any more entertaining than this, and as a former assistant to opera expert Claudio Abbado, Gustavo Gimeno understands it from the inside. He’s brought with him a hand-picked team of star soloists who share his love for Rossini; the result should positively sparkle.