Two Traditions With One Voice

L' Osservatore Romano ^ | 6/29/12

[marshmallow]

Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Sistine Chapel Choir together in St Peter's Basilica

At the invitation of the Pope an Anglican delegation will attend the Papal Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. The delegation from Westminster Abbey in London will include several members of the clergy with the Choir and the Organist and Master of the Choristers. At the express wish of the Holy Father, the Choir of Westminster Choir of Westminster AbbeyAbbey will form one choir for the Mass with the Papal Choir, the Cappella Musicale Pontificia “Sistina”, under the direction of the Maestro Direttore, Mons. Massimo Palombella. In addition the Choir of Westminster Abbey, under the direction of the Abbey’s Organist and Master of the Choristers, James O’Donnell, will sing music from the tradition of the Church of England. The Abbey’s Sub-Organist, Robert Quinney, will accompany some of the music.

This unprecedented invitation from the Pope for a Choir to sing with the Sistine Chapel Choir at a papal liturgy is one of the fruits of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom in September 2010 and in particular to his visit to Westminster Abbey for an ecumenical service of Evening Prayer. During that service, the Pope became acquainted with some of the rich tradition of liturgical music which is an important part of the worshipping life of the Abbey. He heard the Choir and we were pleased to send His Holiness afterwards, at his request, a selection of Compact Discs made by the Organists and Choir of the Abbey.

During their five-day visit to Italy, the Choir will sing a public concert at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 27 June, in the Basilica of St Mary Major and, the following evening, a private recital for officials of the.....