Palestrina500 Holy Mass in Vatican

On the evening of Friday, 28 February, at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration took place on the occasion of the opening of the events marking the 500th anniversary of the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina ‘Princeps Musicae’ (1525-1594). The Holy Mass was celebrated by H.E.R. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and concelebrated by the Rector of the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, Fr. Robert Mehlhart. The liturgy saw the prestigious participation of the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, conducted by Mons. Marcos Pavan, and the PIMS with the polyphonic choir conducted by M° Walter Marzilli and the Schola Gregoriana, led by M° Inga Behrendt; at the organ, M° Josep Solé Coll. The event paid homage - in an ideal union of the highest musical institutions of the papacy - to the most illustrious and influential interpreter of Renaissance sacred music, offering the many people present an extraordinarily intense experience and reaffirming Palestrina's artistic and spiritual legacy in the heart of Christianity.