Ipswich Choral Society – Rossini – Petite messe solennelle

14 November 2026 –

Rossini – Petite messe solennelle – Ipswich Choral Society

Christopher Borrett – Music Director

Catherine May – soprano
Lucy Gibbs – mezzo-soprano
Ben Vonberg-Clark – tenor
Finlay Bloore – bass

Gretel Dowdeswell – Pianist
Adam Chillingworth – Harmonium

Saturday 14 November 2026, 2.30pm
Ipswich Minster, Ipswich IP1 3BE

Tickets: £15 (plus booking fee), Under 18s free.
Available online at ipswichchoralsociety.org or via ICS ticket line: 07751 272366

www.ipswichchoralsociety.org

Join Ipswich Choral Society for an afternoon of music by one of opera’s great characters, Gioachino Rossini, as we perform his much-loved Petite messe solennelle at Ipswich Minster.

Written late in Rossini’s life, the Petite messe solennelle is anything but small in character. It combines beautiful, intimate moments with music of real drama, energy and humour – and includes some of the most memorable writing Rossini produced for voices.

For this performance, the choir will be joined by four outstanding soloists: soprano Catherine May, mezzo-soprano Lucy Gibbs, tenor Ben Vonberg-Clark and bass Finlay Bloore. They will perform alongside pianist Gretel Dowdeswell and Adam Chillingworth on harmonium, with Christopher Borrett conducting.

Whether you already know the Petite messe solennelle or are discovering it for the first time, this promises to be a memorable afternoon of music in the wonderful setting of Ipswich Minster.