It's 90 years for one of Italy's most prestigious musical institutions: the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Chorus blows out 90 candles.

This special birthday is celebrated, of course, in music in the Zubin Mehta Hall. On the programme is one of Gioachino Rossini's best-loved and best-known compositions, the Petite Messe Solennelle; on the podium is the maestro of the Maggio Chorus, Lorenzo Fratini; on the stage are four talents from the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Academy: Olha Smokolina, Danbi Lee, Lorenzo Martelli and Lodovico Filippo Ravizza.

Before the concert, on the afternoon of 22 December at 5 p.m. in the gallery foyer (free admission), a conference on the rich history of the Maggio Choir. During the round table, the most artistically significant stages of the Florentine ensemble's journey over these nine decades of intense musical activity will be recalled.

The speakers will be Giovanni Vitali, Daniele Spini, Roberto Gabbiani (who led the Choir from 1974 to 1990) and Lorenzo Fratini, who has been its director for the past 10 years.

Gioachino Rossini
Petite Messe Solennelle for soloists, chorus and orchestra