KVU Singers present Puccini's Messa di Gloria Live Music & Concerts

Giacomo Puccini's sacred composition performed with soloists and supporting programme.

They will be joined by soloists Terence Ayebare, baritone, Adam Temple Smith, tenor with Robert Sudall playing the organ, under the baton of their musical director, Frank Smith.
Written by Puccini when he was only 18 as his graduation thesis from Lucca Musical Institute in Italy, it is a mass composed for a four-part choir and soloists. It had its first performance in 1880 and then was overshadowed by Puccini’s more famous operas such as ‘Madame Butterfly’ and ‘La Boheme’. Fortunately, it was rediscovered in the 1950s and brought to the attention of a wider audience, firstly in the United States and then back in Italy. It is now firmly established as popular choral work.
Ugandan born Terence Ayebare, who performed with KVU Singers in Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’ last year, trained as an electrical engineer before studying music in Glasgow and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He is an experienced opera singer and oratorio soloist.
Adam Temple Smith, also a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, performed many operatic roles while at the college and also with the British Youth Opera. He is a keen recitalist specialising in the art of English song.
Robert Suddall, another graduate of the RNCM, excels on both the classical and theatre organ, winning numerous competitions. He plays jazz piano with his own jazz trio and many of his compositions are influenced by world music. He is the accompanist for Ilkley Choral Society and much in demand by other choral societies.
KVU Singers, founded in 1906 originally to enter competitions and festivals, now perform extensively in the local area around their base of Sutton-in-Craven, North Yorkshire. For 80 of their 111 year existence they have been conducted by one family, firstly Jack Smith (1937-1982) and from that date by his son, their current musical director, Frank Smith.

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