Rossini's Little Solemn Mass

Ensemble Hélios
Choir Hélios Ephémère
Conducted by Yann Molénat


One of Rossini's masterpieces of sacred music, performed here in its original version for soloists, choir, piano, and accordion. 
With his Petite messe solennelle, Rossini returns to a genre he had abandoned during his career as a composer: sacred music. There are two versions of this work. The first, with a modest ensemble (which earned it the name "little mass"), brings together four soloists (soprano, contralto, tenor, bass), a mixed choir, piano, and an accordion. The other version, reorchestrated by Rossini himself, has a larger ensemble. Whatever the version, it is a particularly ample score, lasting an hour and a half, halfway between sacred music and opera.


Dynamic and eclectic, the Hélios orchestra has established itself since its creation in 2014.

Its artistic director, Paul Savalle, promotes the professional integration of young musicians through orchestral practice. Thus, young graduates mingle with orchestral musicians, conductors, and experienced soloists, in optimal working conditions.

From baroque to contemporary music, the programs are varied, the repertoire is both symphonic and choral, the orchestra associating itself with departmental and regional choirs.
 
Thanks to collaboration with different conductors, the musicians approach a very rich repertoire while broadening their interpretative palette. They all come from the major French conservatories, some belonging to a national orchestra.

From the string quartet to the symphony orchestra, including the brass ensemble, the orchestra always broadens its audience by modulating its composition. The string ensemble performs in the most prestigious churches in Paris, allowing the public to discover a rich architectural heritage.

Its flexible ensemble allows the Hélios orchestra to approach a wide-ranging repertoire with passionate curiosity.

Program and cast