The concert congratulates and celebrates Gábor Hollerung, who turns 70 on this day, with Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, performed by two ensembles (the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra and the Budapest Academic Choral Society) that have been associated with him for more than 30 years. This mass is one of the first major works written by the then 17-year-old composer, who sets the text to music with playful lightness, in the style of Italian opera. Although the title is Messa di Gloria, the work consists of the traditional five movements, forming a complete mass. Unlike in the composer’s operas, where the female parts occupy the central place, the solos here are all sung by men. It was first performed in 1880, and then faded into obscurity, only to be performed again in 1952, dusting it off after 72 years. However, parts of this work can also be detected in his operas: the melodies of the Gloria, Agnus Dei and Kyrie appear in Tosca, Manon and Edgar.
The choir will be joined by the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, with whom Gábor Hollerung also has a 30-year professional history in common.
