Gábor Hollerung conducts CU ChorusCU Chorus Association Limited

Reed Criddle: Pietà (for viola and choir, Asian première)
Gioachino Rossini: Petite messe solennelle (original chamber version, 1863/64)

Dear Lord, here it is finished, this poor little mass. Have I just written sacred music, or rather, sacrilegious music? I was born for opera buffa, as you well know. Not much technique, a little bit of heart, that's all. Blessings to you and grant me Paradise.
－Gioachino Rossini

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Chorus 50th Anniversary Presents
Gábor Hollerung conducts CU Chorus

Treading on a laborious path for half a century from a student singing group, CU Chorus now establishes a prominent position in the Hong Kong choral music scene. In this Golden Jubilee celebration concert, CU Chorus invites the highly renowned Hungarian conductor Gábor Hollerung to present two choral masterpieces written in different times.

Inspired by Michelangelo's famous sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, American composer Reed Criddle's 2012 choral piece Pietà infuses oriental elements in this moving vocalise for chorus and solo viola, the original instrumentation which will be presented in this concert as Asian première. Gioachino Rossini, the composer associated with many famous operas, wrote the choral masterpiece Petite messe solennelle in the final years of his life. The highly operatic vocal writing in a chamber setting with only two pianos and harmonium makes it a unique gem in choral repertoire. Gábor Hollerung's mastery in conducting choral works across centuries will surely bring CU Chorus to another peak in artistic achievement.

An accredited event of CUHK 60th Anniversary Celebratory Programme

Gábor Hollerung will also conduct a Lecture Demonstration on the musical craftmanship of Rossini's "Petite messe solennelle" on 31 May 2023. Purchasing Concert and Lecture Demonstration tickets in the same transaction will have 10% off discount for standard tickets. To order tickets of Lecture Demonstration on 31 May, please visit https://www.art-mate.net/doc/67055

- Children under six are not admitted