"Reverberating Heavenly Tunes in Greater China (Concert in Macau)" Successfully Held

On 19 September, the Sistine Chapel Choir gave the first concert of their first ever visit in Asia. Msgr Massimo Palombella, Choirmaster, led the Choir and presented a range of classical liturgical works from the Medieval times to the 20th century, a programme which displayed a summary of the history of development of music related to Catholicism. In addition to Gregorian chants, the Choir also sang masterpieces such as "Missa Papae Marcelli" and "Sicut Cervus" by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), "Ave Maria" by Spanish composer Tómas Luis de Victoria (1549-1611), "Miserere" by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) and "Missa Pontificalis" by Lorenzo Perosi (1872-1956).

It was a full house at the Cathedral on the day of performance. The organiser had to put in extra chairs to satisfy music enthusiasts. The Sistine Chapel Choir left Macau immediately after the concert, and will continue their tour in Hong Kong and Taipei.

Guests of Honour of the evening included the Reverend José Lai, Bishop of Macau, and Florinda Chan, Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macau SAR Government. Bishop Lai thanked the Sistine Chapel Choir for traveling all the way to Macau to present classical liturgical works to music lovers of this small city in the East. He also expressed gratitude for the support given by the Government, sponsorships provided by various organisations and, in particular, the hard work and fine planning of Coro Perosi, organiser of the whole event.

"Reverberating Heavenly Tunes in Greater China (Concert in Macau)" was sponsored by the Macau Foundation, Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau S.A.R. Government and the Macau Government Tourist Office.