In 1936, the death of a composer friend in an automobile accident prompted Poulenc to visit the shrine of the Black Virgin of Rocamadour, where he experienced a life-changing transformation. This rediscovery of his Roman Catholic faith led to a series of compositions based on religious themes, beginning with the Litanies à la vierge noire (1936) and including the Mass in G (1937). The final concert of our 13th season will explore Poulenc’s Mass in G and other sacred music of his French contemporaries; Desenclos, Villette and Duruflé.