Milan, 21st December 2024 - the sounds of Christmas once again echo amidst the gold and velvet of Teatro alla Scala, which returns with its traditional Christmas Concert to the delight of enthusiasts from all over the world. This year, the magical atmosphere of the holiday period will be expressed through the genius of Gioachino Rossini, with a performance of the “Petite Messe Solennelle”, a work that skilfully combines irony and spirituality; the sacred and the profane.
The orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Daniele Gatti, while Teatro alla Scala choir will be conducted by Alberto Malazzi, both leading figures on the international music scene. With his unmistakable flair, Rossini revisits religious tradition with a musical language that is both prayer and entertainment, classic and innovative.
Despite maintaining the structure of liturgy, the “Petite Messe Solennelle” is a continuous flow of sound devoid of interruption between movements, anticipating certain characteristics of the music of the 1900s. The harmony, rich in chromaticism and dissonance, surprises the listener with unexpected transitions, creating a listening experience in constant evolution.
Initially composed for two pianos and harmonium, instruments that Rossini mastered with virtuosity, the “Petite Messe Solennelle” was later transcribed for orchestra, acquiring a wider and more variegated musical palette. The Christmas Concert at La Scala confirms its standing as an unmissable international event, a precious opportunity to embrace the timeless beauty of music and celebrate the magic of Christmas.
