Rossini: Messa di Gloria

Expanding their notable Rossini discography, Sir Antonio Pappano and the Chorus and Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia perform the composer's Messa di Gloria of 1820. They are joined by five virtuosic vocal soloists: three Italians - soprano Eleonora Buratto, mezzo-soprano Teresa Iervolino and bass Carlo Lepore - and two Americans, Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres, who celebrated Rossini and the star tenors of his era with their thrilling recital album Amici e Rivali, released in 2020. "The Messa di Gloria is a mass of light," says Pappano. "Rossini always connected vividly to his audience in his inimitable way. The soloists need to sing with great spiritual fervour and also powerful confidence as they convey the fearlessness of the composer's relationship to God. The work is a celebration, praising God's glory. … Rossini is just open eyes, open face, and open arms to God."