Friday, May 28th, 2027, 7:30pm

Join all of the combined choirs at Blessed Sacrament in celebrating the titular feast, Corpus Christi, with an exuberant declaration of the Gloria from the Mass as set in three distinct styles. The program opens with Francis Poulenc’s typically charming and original setting of the work, performed at this concert with organ, chorus, and soloist. From its grand introduction to its demure ending, Poulenc’s humor and effervescence pervade this much lauded staple of the canon.

The Cantorei will then sing the “Gloria” from 15th century composer, Guilaume DuFay’s Missa l’Homme Armé (Mass of the one-armed man), highlighting a trend of drafting secular tunes into sacred use. This moment of medieval clarity and simplicity prepares the way for the final work of the evening.

Anthony Patterson’s masterful “Gloria,” premiered in 2022, was written for the National Chorale at the request of Artistic Director, Dr. Everett McCorvey. The work is scored for two pianos, timpani, chorus, and soloists. Blessed Sacrament is exceptionally glad to welcome the composer and acclaimed pianist and coach, Dr. Casey Robards, as our two pianists for this evening. This work was conceived of as a celebration of life and is dedicated to the composer’s father, Richard Patterson (1928-2022).