A CHURCH will play host to a neglected masterpiece by opera genius Gioachino Rossini this weekend.

Anglia Ruskin University choir the Anglian Singers are performing the Petite Messe Solennelle at Braintree’s Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace.

The annual visit to Braintree has become a firm fixture in the choir’s calendar.

This year the university choir has chosen a challenging work which combines many of the features of Rossini’s brilliant operas with sacred texts.

Described by the composer as one of his “sins of old age”, the choral work is packed with little musical jokes, but that does not mean that the singers will not be taking the performance very seriously.

The concert features no fewer than three keyboard players and four soloists.

Conductor Chris Green has chosen to respect the original intention of featuring two pianos and a harmonium.

A choir spokesman said: “Finding a suitable harmonium provided the choir’s secretary with a challenge, but one was located on a website and purchased by the choir and will make its debut.”

Child prodigy Rossini started composing at the age of 12 and his first opera was performed in Venice in 1810 when he was just 18 years old.

His William Tell Overture, from the opera of the same name, is one of his most recognised works.

It premiered in 1829 and was the last of his 39 operas before he went into semi-retirement.

The Anglia Singers are hoping that there will be a capacity audience for the concert, following a near sell-out show last December in Chelmsford.

It takes place on Sunday at 4.30pm.

Tickets are now on sale, priced £8, from a number of locations, including the presbytery at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Allegro Music, in Chelmsford, and Joscelyne Chase estate agents, in Bank Street, Braintree.