The Choral Society Of The Hamptons To Showcase “Petite Messe Solennelle”

The Choral Society of the Hamptons welcomes spring with the Petite Messe Solennelle by the celebrated opera composer Gioachino Rossini on Sunday, April 8, at 5 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton, followed by a Manhattan performance the following day. There will be a post-concert benefit at The Palm.

Led by its celebrated former music director John Daly Goodwin as guest conductor, the chorus will be joined by four young and exciting opera singers from Mexico – Alejandra Sandoval, Soprano; Diana Peralta, Mezzo-soprano; César Delgado, Tenor; Carlos López, Baritone – all of whom were winners of the prestigious Ópera San Miguel vocal competition. The instrumentation will be provided by the organist Thomas Bohlert and the pianist Christine Cadarette.

Immediately after the East Hampton concert, the Society will host a benefit cocktail reception, honoring the conductor and soloists, at The Palm. The event will include special Mexican hors d’oeuvres and wines by Channing Daughters Winery.

Opera lovers will not be disappointed by the Petite Messe Solennelle, which the composer of William Tell and The Barber of Seville referred to as “the last mortal Sin of my Old Age.” The audience will hear a parade of uplifting choruses, arias, and ensembles in Rossini’s distinctive style. Written in 1863, decades after his last opera the Petite Messe Solennelle is considered the finest achievement of Rossini’s retirement. The Mass is described as neither petite, nor particularly solemn, and it is peppered by grand operatic moments and glimpses of humor. Written in the opera buffa style, the Messe is the work of a man with a strong, if unorthodox, religious beliefs.

Daly Goodwin returns to the Choral Society of the Hamptons for only the second time since 1999 when he completed nine years as its music director. Best known for his 25 years as music director of the New York Choral Society, during his distinguished 36-year career, Mr. Goodwin has led concerts around the world, including 44 in Carnegie Hall, eight at Lincoln Center, and in Shanghai, Mexico City, the Cathedrals of Notre Dame and Chartres in France, and the Basilica of San Marco in Venice.

Now based in Mexico, he is a member of the board of directors of Ópera San Miguel and the Festival Internacional de Música San Miguel de Allende. He has also served as president of the New York Choral Consortium, music adviser to the September Concert Foundation, and as a juror for the annual Ópera San Miguel vocal competition, the New Jersey ACDA High School Choral Festival, and Career Bridges. He has been a member of the music faculties of New York University and Pace University, and, in addition to leading the Choral Society of the Hamptons, has conducted the Westchester Concert Singers and the Richmond Choral Society. With a strong commitment to music education, Goodwin has done extensive volunteer work with young aspiring musicians.

Over the years, the Choral Society has also been guided by well-known musicians such as Hugh Ross and Gilbert Kaplan. Led by its music director, Mark Mangini, the organization is an auditioned chorus that performs with professional conductors, soloists, orchestras, and accompanists. It has presented high-quality choral music on the East End of Long Island since it was founded in 1946 by the late Charlotte Rogers Smith, a local choir director.

Admission to the April 8 concert is $30 in advance ($35 at the door), with $10 youth tickets in advance ($15 at the door), and preferred-seat tickets at $75. Reception tickets are $100 per person.

The Manhattan performance will take place at the Church of the Holy Trinity (316 East 88th Street) on Monday, April 9 at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 ($25 at the door), with $10 youth tickets ($15 at the door).

Later on in the year, on July 7, the Choral Society will perform Carl Orff’s popular Carmina Burana, conducted by Mark Mangini, the Society’s music director, at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church is located at 120 Main Street in East Hampton. The Palm is located at 94 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information visit www.choralsocietyofthehamptons.org or call 631-204-9402.