Photos and Videos from the Palestrina in the Sistine Chapel Fund-Raising Concert

In honor of Palestrina's 500th Birthday, his sublime music was performed while singers and patrons were immersed in Michelangelo's art from the Sistine Chapel

A bust of Michelangelo's David serves as a vase at the reception table for the Palestrina concert held in the “Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel” exhibit

Contemplating Michelangelo’s Last Judgement up close. One man was looking for the self-portrait of Michelangelo, which he’d heard was in the painting. I pointed out where the artist painted his own face on the flayed skin of St. Bartholemew, which is hanging just to the left of this viewer’s left ear. I’m trying to figure out how it is that St. Bartholemew still has a complete set of skin.

I overheard one woman remark that it was great to see the informative texts with the artwork because she never knew who most of the painted figures were or why they were significant. She spoke for many of us.

Christoph Tietze, Music Director of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and Director of the Cathedral Choir School, with his artistic gilded necktie.

Some of the students from the choir school who were not away on vacation and were available to sing some of Palestrina's motets with the Cathedral Choir. Video below: The choir sings Jesu Rex Admirabilis.

Towards the end, some people pulled up chairs around what was left of the desserts on the catering table.

The addition of flowing sparkling wine and beer helped ensure a good time was had by all.