Salieri's Emperor Mass in D

About

Singers of Southern Tasmania and Orchestra will be performing the Emperor Mass in D by Salieri.

Thanks to Hollywood, Salieri is remembered as a jealous musician who poisoned Mozart. While there may have been some competition between them, the evidence suggests they were mutually respectful peers and it is unlikely that Mozart's wife would have let the murderer of her husband teach their son. He was recognised as a brilliant teacher and his students also included Beethoven, Schubert and Liszt. Hollywood though is not known for letting facts get in the way of a good story.

Composed in 1788 the Emperor Mass in D was Salieri’s first orchestral mass. It was probably written to celebrate a major military victory but due to the Emperor’s illness was not performed until 1808. It is a work of warmth and beauty. Rocklitz, a contemporary and highly regarded critic wrote in Salieri’s obituary that his sacred music “…must count among the finest that have been produced in recent times.”

Dates

St David’s Cathedral

Macquarie Street , Hobart Tasmania 7000