Cantabile Singers: Mary MacKillop Mass 7 November 2025
Image provided by the Cantabile Singers
What: Mary MacKillop Mass
When: Friday 7 November, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Ignatius Churchm 137 William Street, Norwood SA 5067
Cost: Tickets are $40
From the Cantabile Singers:
Local community choir Cantabile Singers will perform Mary MacKillop Mass for choir and orchestra, by Australian composer Nicholas Buc, on 7 November at 8pm at St Ignatius Church, Norwood. The choir performed the Adelaide premiere in 2016 and received a standing ovation from the whole audience. “The difficulty as an audience member was refraining from clapping between movements – it transported me to another realm,” said Sr Colleen Roberts RSJ.
The work was composed in 2009 in honour of the centenary of her death. Mary MacKillop is Australia’s first saint, canonised in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. As a young teacher she was concerned about the children of the poor who could not afford an education.
She co-founded, with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the Sisters of St Joseph in Penola on the Feast of St Joseph in 1866. Mary’s compassion also extended to the homeless and destitute, including ex-prisoners and ex-prostitutes.
There is no doubt that Mary was an early feminist. At one point in her life, her leadership was resisted by the Church. In 1871, Bishop Shiel excommunicated her from the Church and she took refuge within the St Ignatius parish, Norwood. Bishop Shiel soon regretted his action and five months later removed the sentence.
In hearing that the work is to be performed again, Nicholas Buc wrote to the choir, “I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen to perform the Mary MacKillop Mass again.”
The performance will be held in St Ignatius Church, Norwood. “Being given the opportunity to perform this work in the church where Mary MacKillop sought refuge gives the whole experience an added level of emotion and meaning,” said Denise Rothall, Music Director of Cantabile Singers.
It is a rare treat to hear an Australian-made contemporary classical work. This mass will be performed with full orchestral accompaniment and a 50+ choir. The soloists are Emma Borgas, soprano (Adelaide Chamber Singers) and Jeremy Tatchell, baritone (State Opera) and the choir is conducted by Denise Rothall, who is widely known for her work as Music Director with the annual Catholic Schools Music Festival.
Performance: Friday November 7th at 8pm St Ignatius Church, corner of Queen Street and William Street, Norwood.
Tickets $40. Book tickets at Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/devdc
