The original setting of this mass by Peter Benoit dates from 1856 and was written for a three-part female choir. Sixteen years later, in 1872, Benoit made a version for three-part male choir. It is this latter version that is preserved in our archive, safely stored in the vault. The manuscript itself is kept in the Royal Library. It was probably more interesting for the publisher to publish a mass for male voices, because at that time women were not yet allowed to actively participate in a choir in the liturgy, except in convents. The connection with Antwerp is clear. Peter Benoit was the founder of the Flemish Music School, now the Conservatory. He was also honorary chapel master of the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Antwerp Cathedral for a short time. It is therefore not surprising that his mass is preserved in our archives. In 1871, Benoit also became honorary chapel master of the cathedral. During that period, he composed his Missa tribus vocibus virorum, the manuscript of which is kept at the Chapel of the Venerable. However, Benoit did not remain in office for long: he resigned in 1873. A performance of this mass in May 2023 was special and unique. That is why the Chapel of the Venerable planned a performance in the cathedral. The performance was given by the male voices of the Flemish Opera choir, with soloist Denzil Delaere, organist Peter Van de Velde and conductor Stijn Saveniers. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Peter Van de Velde, titular organist of our cathedral, for his special commitment to this project.
