On Sunday: Amadeus Chamber Ensemble Explores the Sacred Music Glories of Rossini

…On Singing Rossini

On Sunday, September 17, Knoxville audiences will have an opportunity to hear selections from Gioachino Rossini’s two sacred masterpieces: Stabat Mater and Messa Solenne. The Amadeus Chamber Ensemble’s 43-piece orchestra and 43-voice choir will perform a one-hour concert at Sacred Heart Cathedral, under the direction of Howard Skinner. Soloists are soprano Rochelle Bard, alto Diana Salesky, tenor Aaron Short, and bass Stephen Morscheck.

While Rossini’s vocal writing is superb in virtually every way imaginable, it is not for the faint of heart. Rossini challenges his singers in terms of range, agility, and emotion – something the ACE soloists have in abundance. “When I think about singing Rossini,” said Morscheck, “I think of challenging vocal gymnastics, such as coloratura, large intervallic leaps, lengthy phrases, and an extended range.”

Bard, who is familiar to Knoxville audiences for many appearances with ACE and Knoxville Opera, is giving listeners a chance to hear all these vocalisms when she tackles the show-stopping “In flammatus” – a movement as fiery as its title implies. “What I love about my big number,” said Bard, “is that Rossini has a depth of understanding about how to write for the soprano voice. It feels full and natural, and the melodies and harmonies are stunning.”

Tenor Aaron Short admits that while some composers tend to favor the female voice, Rossini generously spreads the wealth. “Prior to working on these pieces, I was unfamiliar with Rossini’s sacred works. I’m surprised by how gratifying it’s been to learn this music. I’m constantly amazed at the level of drama and intensity Rossini managed to pack into these works, just like in his operas.”

Speaking of opera, Morscheck points out that he, like many of us, is most familiar with Rossini’s comedic operas, notably Il barbiere de Siviglia or La Cenerentola. “So, in the case of singing his seldom heard sacred works,” he notes, “it is very meaningful to see how Rossini composes for such contemplative and transcendent matters of life.”

Salesky added, “We hear the music of a man who has stopped telling the comic stories of others and is, perhaps, grappling with the story of his own personal pain and physical suffering.” 

An extremely devout Christian, Rossini seemingly poured his heart and soul into these sacred pieces. The combination of his musical mastery and the glorious words, well, it’s a match made in heaven. 

Morscheck sums it up perfectly. “Rossini is one of the trio of composers we associate with the birth of bel canto writing for the voice – the others being Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini. They all sought to show the glories of the human voice. And these works truly do.” 

The September 17 concert is a part of the Cathedral Concert Series, an ongoing program that has in the past hosted ACE in concerts such as “Verdi in the Cathedral,” “Mozart’s Coronation Mass,” and “Mozart! An Operatic Feast.”

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

Amadeus Chamber Ensemble — “Rossini”
Sunday, September 17, 5:30 PM
Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville
Tickets and Information –  Admission is FREE, but registration is requested