Pope’s 1,500-yr-old choir performs in ‘historic’ concert in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi

The renowned Sistine Chapel Choir, also known as the Pope’s Choir, performed a historic concert at the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, May 30. This performance marked the first time the choir, which has a 1,500-year history and is recognized as the longest-running chorale in the world, performed in the UAE.

The event took place in the prayer hall of St. Francis Church, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement among the audience. As the choir members, including the Pueri Cantores (the child singers), walked through the red carpet, hushed whispers filled the hall, signaling the arrival of the legendary choir.

The concert began with a Gregorian chant, "Victimae paschali laudes," immediately captivating the audience. The harmonious voices of the choir, composed of both young and adult members, echoed majestically through the grand hall. Attendees included ministers, high-ranking officials, ambassadors, bishops, nuns, and distinguished community members, all of whom were mesmerized by the choir's performance of classical masterpieces.

The choir performed pieces by renowned composers such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Giuseppe Liberto, Lorenzo Perosi, Tomás Luis de Victoria, and Domenico Bartolucci. The audience responded with a standing ovation after the choir delivered twelve stunning pieces. The all-male choir members graciously accepted the applause, bowing repeatedly to the audience's admiration.

Just when it seemed the performance had concluded, choir director Monsignor Marcos Pavan announced a final piece, "Tu es petrus," which received an even greater response from the audience. An adult member of the choir expressed his delight after the performance, emphasizing the prestige of being part of the Pope’s Choir. "We are 28 boys and 21 adults here. The adult singers are professionals, and the boys are selected through a rigorous process. It’s a prestigious thing to be part of the Pope’s Choir," he said.

The choir's history is deeply rooted in the Renaissance era, showcasing the contributions of legendary composers and musicians. The concert was hosted by the Abu Dhabi Festival and The Apostolic Nunciature to the UAE, providing a profound journey into the sacred heritage of the church. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and artistic director of the Abu Dhabi Festival, highlighted that the event reflected the UAE’s commitment to peace and coexistence. She noted that it embodied the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb.

Archbishop El-Kassis emphasized that the concert symbolized the close relationship between the Holy See and the UAE, marking a significant historical milestone in promoting human fraternity. Monsignor Marcos Pavan called it a “historic moment” for the Middle East and praised the UAE’s values of peaceful coexistence, diversity, and dialogue.

This landmark event underscored the cultural and spiritual ties between the Vatican and the UAE, celebrating a shared commitment to promoting harmony and understanding across different communities.