Puccini and Mendelssohn | Birmingham Festival Choral Society

Birmingham Festival Choral Society serves up Two Main Courses: Mendelssohn – Hymn of Praise (Lobgesang) and Puccini – Messa di Gloria

The very fact that the lives and music of these two great composers are so different is the very reason that Birmingham Festival Choral Society has placed two of their great choral works on the same menu in its summer concert.

Mendelssohn composed one opera at the age of 15 which was soon forgotten, but his many works for choir and orchestra are among the finest in the choral repertoire. In contrast, Puccini's fame and fortune lies solely in his magnificent operas - with one important exception. Messa di Gloria, composed as a graduation exercise at the age of 20, shows all the exuberance, jaunty tunes and hints of the operatic style which brought about his later success, resulting in a masterpiece of choral writing - a favourite with choirs throughout the world.

The works of both men display a mastery of flowing melody and beautiful harmony; and the Hymn of Praise and the Messa di Gloria are abundant with these ingredients.

Savouring the musical delights of Puccini and Mendelssohn on Saturday 11th July, with Birmingham Festival Choral Society and three outstanding young soloists, is a date not to be missed. Bon appetite!