Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli has become the first woman to sing and record with the Sistine Chapel choir. The album, titled Veni Domine: Advent and Christmas at the Sistine Chapel, was released on 27 October.
“Being the first woman to sing with the choir, and to record in the Sistine Chapel, is an immense privilege, I am at a loss for words,” said Bartoli in an interview with Classic FM. The Italian added the experience was “like a dream”.
The 16-track album features traditional hymns like Conditor alme siderum, Christe, Redemptor omnium and Gaudete in Domino semper. It has been released by Deutsche Grammophon and Universal Music Italia.
Sistine Chapel choir is made up of 20 men and 30 boys under the leadership of priest Massimo Palombella. Its previous album Cantate Domino was the first to be recorded in the chapel, and was named Choral Recording of the Year at the Echo Klassik awards in 2016. The choir recently completed a three-date tour of the US.
All proceeds from the CD will go to charity.
