The Great Mass: Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, K. 427/417, and Vesperae Solennes de Confessore KV 339 (Vespers for the Saints)

The Great Mass in C minor, K. 427/417a, is one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s greatest works, composed in Vienna in 1782 and 1783 after moving from Salzburg. Written following his marriage to Constanze and not for a commission, it is a deeply personal, dramatic work featuring intense emotional music, including virtuoso soprano parts intended for his wife to sing. The large-scale Missa Solemnis is scored for two soprano soloists, a tenor, bass, double chorus, and large orchestra.

The mass remained unfinished, missing large portions of the Credo and complete Agnus Dei. This mystery has led to several completion attempts, with the most recent version by Shane Woodborne, a South African-born composer living in Salzburg. Commissioned by the Canta Society of Salzburg, this version premiered in October 2025 at Salzburg Cathedral. The Symphony Choir of Cape Town presents this completed work for the first time to South African audiences.

The performance also includes Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore KV 339 (Vespers for the Saints), a 1780 sacred choral masterpiece written for Salzburg Cathedral. This six-movement setting for soloists, choir, and orchestra features five psalms and a Magnificat, including the famous soprano aria Laudate Dominum. The Symphony Choir will include Gregorian chants between movements, as Mozart intended for the original All Saints Day performance.

Soloists: Clara Hugo, Violina Anguelov-Hobbs, Sipho Fubesi, and Riaan Hunter. Directed by Levi Alexander.

Join us for this stunning performance on Saturday, 6th June at 7pm and Sunday, 7th June at 3pm to experience this completed mass for the first time in South Africa!