Gregorian Chant Performance 20 December
For a calming break from the holiday shopping season, tryout the Florida Pro Musica’s annual Gregorian chant performance, which has turned into a popular holiday event at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in downtown Tampa at 509 N Florida Ave. The cross street is Twiggs. The performance is starts at 4pm. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, an atmospheric domed space in downtown Tampa that seats about 600, was filled to overflowing for last year’s concert. Concerts over the first ten years have included some wonderful highlights, from large-scale works like Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah to intimate offerings such as the complete Masses by William Byrd, baroque trio sonatas, madrigals in costume, and a whole spectrum of choral and instrumental programs. Florida Pro Musica was founded in 1998 by Larry Kent and environmental attorney George F. Gramling III. The creation of FPM was, in large part, due to the need for a professional music ensemble performing varied and diverse repertoire from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and beyond. FPM’s first concert was in May 1999, and since that time, the group has performed pieces for the smallest ensembles (instrumental and vocal solos, duets, trios) to large works such as Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Historical periods covered include Gregorian Chant from the 10th century, Renaissance and Baroque choral and instrumental masterworks (Palestrina, Byrd, Bach, Handel), the Classical period (Haydn and Mozart), the Romantics (Brahms, Mendelssohn, Bruckner), and the 20th and 21st centuries (Messiaen, Britten, Russo). Cost is $10 and includes a Wine and cheese reception after the performance.
