Band boys delight in Rome: an unforgettable Messiah performance!

Band boys delight in Rome: an unforgettable Messiah performance!

A special performance of the oratorio “Messiah” recently took place in Rome, captivating listeners with powerful singing. Many enthusiastic visitors, including former choir boys from Dresden, were ready to sing along to Hallelujah when conductor Christian Bonath called on them to do so. This happened in the Basilica of Santi Martino e Silvestro as part of a pilgrimage that beautifully captured the atmosphere of this historic city.

The venues where the performances took place already had a long tradition. In the past performances they took place in both the Dresden Cathedral and the Bautzen Cathedral. However, this fourth performance was special because it took place abroad for the first time and was not accompanied by the usual musicians from the Staatskapelle. Instead, instrumentalists from England, Denmark and Italy performed who had never played together before but who proved to be outstanding experts in early music. This made the atmosphere all the more unique and the response in the form of strong applause could not be overlooked.

Powerful singing and moments of happiness

The band boys, including the talented soloists Jakob Krause, Leander Gaßmann and Jakob Klein, provided emotional highs with their singing. Jörg Hempel, who leads the soloist class as a vocal trainer, said he was proud of their performance: “You sang fantastically.” Another prominent guest, Matthias Kopp, spokesman for the German Bishops' Conference, was impressed by the performance and described the concert as one of the best he had ever experienced in Rome. His experience as a participant in the excavations beneath the basilica, where he apparently uncovered evidence of the first Christians, gave him a special connection to the performance.

Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers, who also followed the concert, was completely satisfied. He enthusiastically reported: "It is fulfilling to see the power and joy with which the boys sing and how they have grown musically over the past few years. One can only be grateful for that." Such feedback underlines the long journey and commitment of the young talents. Their musical growth is of great importance for the diocese of Dresden-Meißen.

The challenges of the concert space could not be overlooked along the way. The large opening in the chancel required the choir to be positioned wide, which meant that the singers had to position themselves far apart. Joe-Elias Ehrlich, a member of the choir, explained: "The individual voices were very far apart. This meant we couldn't hear the people next to us so well. The fact that it was still so synchronous is very nice." Such challenges show the professionalism and skills of the band boys.

After the strenuous two hours, cathedral music director Christian Bonath was relieved and happy. "Being able to sing Messiah here in Rome is a very special moment. Everyone could see the level at which the band boys can perform," he said, exhausted but satisfied. The experience of performing in such a venerable environment remains unforgettable for everyone involved. A convivial dinner near the basilica was the nice end to an eventful day that began with intensive rehearsals.

This special event is a reminder of how important art and music are for spiritual and cultural exchange. It is an opportunity for the diocese's young singers to present themselves in a new light, and they are taking advantage of these opportunities with flying colors. Detailed information and further insights are available can be found here in a comprehensive report on www.bistum-dresden-meissen.de.