Scoring: Soli STB, Coro SATB, Fl, Ob, Clt, 2 Fg, Cor, Tr, Timp, Perc, Arpa, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb, [Org]

“Radiant beams poured forth from the Messe de Sainte Cécile. First, one was dazzled, then enchanted, then overwhelmed.” This is how Camille Saint-Saëns described the impression made on him by Charles Gounod’s best known Mass setting. The work, which Gounod wrote in 1855 to honor the patron saint of church music, soon became famous far beyond the borders of France, achieving a level of popul...