Petite messe solennelle

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Having written 40 operas by 1830, Rossini - aged 38, and exhausted - retired. 30 years later he began composing again and described these new works as his 'sins of old age'. This mass was his last 'sin'. Written for choir, small orchestra and harmonium (a pedal-pumped organ!) he completed it in 1867. Rossini died of cancer the following year. Composer: Giacomo Puccini Performers: BBC Singers Performer: Iain Farrington (Piano) Performer: Richard Pearce (Harmonium) Conductor: David Hill Recording date: 13 October 2010 Date of broadcast: 13 October 2010