When I was studying in Rome some seminarian friends and myself liked to escape the seminary (with permission) to see the city and some of its cultural events. I remember one jaunt was to attend a production of Tosca - having been trained as an opera singer, the lads liked to get me back into familiar ground. Well the performance was abysmal, we still talk about it, it was the best night ever! As a friend Timmy says, "There's only one thing better than a good opera, and that's an awful one".
One of our cultural expeditions was to a concert in St John Lateran's in which Roman priest and composer Mgr Marco Frisina was premiering a new work. It was a great night, and although the choir seemed a bit unruly at first, they were beautiful singers. Mgr Frisina has been in the limelight over the last couple of weeks or so as the beatification of Blessed John Paul loomed - his music was used for many of the events. His works are really nice - melodic and spiritual. He is no James McMillan, but he has a nice touch. He wrote the new hymn for Blessed John Paul's beatification, and the rousing "Jesus Christ, You are my Life", originally composed for World Youth Day, also used during the beatification ceremonies.
Anyway, for your pleasure and meditation, two of Mgr Frisina's works: his beautiful setting of the Anima Christi, and, given it is the First Saturday, his Magnificat in honour of our Holy Mother.
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