Rome concert a success for the Mater Dei High School Chorus - Enriching performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse at gorgeous Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio

The Mater Dei High School Chorus presented Haydn's Paukenmesse on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 8:30 PM at the Basilica de Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio to an audience of almost 500 comprised of family and friends, but also many local friends of choral music."I am so proud of our students", commented Patrick Director from MDHS and Assistant Principal Anna-Lisa George could only agree. Audience and performers alike were moved, many of the parents had tears in their eyes as they listened to the 140 singers from Santa Ana, California present this master work with professional orchestra. And what better Roman venue than the lovely church perched high upon a hill near the Coliseum.

The Basilica de Santi Giovanni e Paolo was commissioned in the year 398 by Senator Pammachius and named in honor of two martyred Roman officers, John and Paul, who were executed under the reign of Julian the Apostate. Located on the Celian Hill section of Rome, the basilica rests atop the ruins of the house in which the officers were killed. Recent excavation revealed the remains of the ancient Roman house beneath the church.

The Basilica de Santi Giovanni e Paolo currently serves as the official home of the Passionists. Two of the church’s previous Cardinal Priests went on to reign as Pope—Pope Honorius III and Pope Pius XII.

The current building was constructed in the 12^th century. The interior is adorned with Rome’s best-preserved wall paintings, including Cristoforo Roncalli’s Redeemer in Glory, painted in 1588. The combination of the sanctuary’s steep rounded apse and the 16^th century coffered ceilings offer performers a full and pleasantly natural musical sound.

Photos courtesy of Photopedia.