Photo Amati Bacciardi
The “Mass for Rossini” (Messa per Rossini) is a moving tribute to the memory of the great Italian composer Gioachino Rossini . This Requiem Mass, a unique collaboration of 13 prominent Italian composers led by Giuseppe Verdi, was conceived to honor the first anniversary of Rossini’s death in 1869. Each composer contributed to a different section of the mass, creating a rich and diverse musical tapestry that blends their individual styles into a harmonious tribute. Originally intended to be performed in Bologna’s Basilica of San Petronio, where Rossini spent much of his life, the Mass was ultimately shelved and not performed until 1988, when it was rediscovered. The Rossini Opera Festival’s performance of this extraordinary Requiem offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience a piece of music history, a fusion of reverence and artistry. Conducted by the masterful Donato Renzetti, the “Mass for Rossini” promises to be a profoundly moving evening that reflects on the legacy of Rossini and the genius of Italian music.
The Package
Music trip to Italy with one or more performances at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro in the Marche region. Pesaro is the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini. At the Rossini Opera Festival in the summer 2025, you can experience well-known operas such as Journey to Reims, The Turk in Italy, The Italian in Algiers, but also the maestro’s lesser-known masterpieces such as Zelmira. The operas are performed in the Rossini Theater, the Arena Vitrifrigo, and PalaScavolini.
Enjoy our music package with great operas. Choose one or more performances from the opera program and send us your request.
Plot and History
The “Messa per Rossini” is not a traditional opera, but rather a Requiem Mass composed to commemorate the great Gioachino Rossini’s life and legacy. The project began with an initiative by Giuseppe Verdi, who proposed the idea of honoring Rossini through a collaborative composition involving 13 prominent Italian composers, each tasked with creating a specific section of the mass. The work was intended to be performed on November 13, 1869, marking the first anniversary of Rossini’s death, in the Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna. However, the performance did not take place as planned due to organizational difficulties, and the “Messa per Rossini” was left unperformed for over a century. It wasn’t until 1988 that the mass was finally presented to the public, allowing audiences to experience this profound musical homage. The composition includes movements like the “Kyrie,” “Dies Irae,” and “Agnus Dei,” each contributed by different composers, creating a mosaic of Italian musical styles that blend seamlessly to form a moving tribute. The Rossini Festival’s performance of the “Messa per Rossini” offers a rare chance to hear this unique work in a setting that connects deeply with the composer’s history.
The Artists and Creative Team
Conductor • Donato Renzetti
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Performance Dates of “Messa per Rossini”
2025-08-22
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Events
Rossini operas in Pesaro – Festival Rossini 2025
In Pesaro at the Vitifrigo Arena / Teatro Sperimentale
