The Catholic University of America will present a free concert by
the Sistine Chapel Choir at 6 p.m. Sept. 20 as part of a three-city tour that
marks the choir’s first visit to the United States in more than 30 years.
Joining Catholic University in this historic endeavor is the Basilica of the
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, where the choir
will perform.
The choir, whose reputation has grown under the leadership of
Msgr. Massimo Palombella, performs at significant papal celebrations and
liturgies, including Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the
oldest choir in the world, present since the earliest centuries of the church
and reorganized in the sixth century. Its members include approximately 20
adult singers and 30 boy choristers.
“Our role in the U.S. tour signifies our importance as a center
for Catholic music,” says Grayson Wagstaff, dean of the University’s Benjamin
T. Rome School of Music. “The present conductor of the Sistine Chapel Choir has
reinvigorated the performance of Renaissance music. Our faculty and students
have contributed to scholarship on that great tradition. We look forward to
hosting the choir, knowing that we have a role in the preservation of the music
they perform.”
Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl commented on the significance of
the event by saying, “As chancellor of The Catholic University of America, it
is my honor and privilege to welcome to our campus and host the world-renowned
Sistine Chapel Choir. The visit of this historic choir that provides sacred
music for papal Masses is an opportunity to support, as well, Catholic arts
here at the University.”
The concert celebrates the university’s commitment to the
Catholic arts. As part of this initiative, the university’s new Catholic Arts
Council will host a fundraising dinner celebrating the arts following the
concert. Students and faculty from the School of Music and departments of art
and drama will be featured at the dinner, which will be held on campus in
Heritage Hall.
Concert sponsors include EWTN and Shadd Pianos, USA. EWTN will
film the event as part of its “In Concert” Series. The choir’s U.S. tour also
includes performances at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City Sept. 16 and
the Detroit Opera House Sept. 23.
Get tickets
For more information about the concert or to purchase
tickets to the dinner, go to cuatoday.com/papalchoir2017.