Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle (Little Solemn Mass) is an unusual piece, not least because it isn't little, or solemn. In fact, it's rather a jolly piece written for choir and soloists with piano and harmonium, or (as on this occasion) accordion instead of harmonium. We're being joined for this concert by Ukrainian accordionist Yuliia Hermeniuk. As well as the unusual sound of the piece, it's noteworthy for being a rare late work by Rossini, which is still very operatic (with some beautiful lyric moments as well as being slightly crazy), but more reminiscent of early Verdi than, say, Rossini's own Barber of Seville. Simon McEnery conducts, the pianist is John Cuthbert.