Benevoli was director of the Papal choir, the 'cappella giulia' but also worked as a fixer, providing music and singers for other churches in Rome on their feast days.  Until now his music has not existed in performance editions and as a result, the music of this important historical figure - an exact contemporary of Carissimi's - has remained unknown. 

This mass is joyous, rich and melodic though tricky in places so music will be available before the day to rehearse (alongside the new recording).  Unlike the heavily instrumental dependent Venetian music of 50 years earlier, Roman polychoral music is written for all-vocal choirs so the ranges are more manageable for singers.  However doubling vocal lines with instrumental colour (for instruments at A440) is very much welcome and encouraged. 

This special all day workshop is for all members of the course who wish to take part. All those who sing are invited to form the four SATB choirs required for this work. All instrumentalists are likewise invited to form the lines that double the voice parts, and there is also a continuo part for instruments suitable for this role. Parts will be available before the course. The day is led by Robert Hollingworth, supported by Rebecca Austen-Brown and Richard Thomas, who both play on the recently released recording by I Fagiolini of this work. Other tutors will also support as appropriate.