A LARGS based composer's musical masterpiece is set to be live streamed around the world - from the Sistine Chapel at The Vatican.

Sir James MacMillan, who moved to the town in 2016, will be making history after his 'Stabat Mater' was granted permission by The Vatican to be performed in the chapel on April 22.

Genesis Foundation, a UK-based arts charity who have helped organise the concert, say it will be an unforgettable experience.

John Studzinski, founder and chairman of the Genesis Foundation, says: “I’m delighted that many hundreds of thousands of people will experience this direct from the Sistine Chapel. It is rare for a new, hour-long work of sacred music to move audiences across the world as soon as it has been premiered, but James' Stabat mater is that rarity. A masterpiece, it has instantly connected audiences to the timeless story of Mary’s suffering as she observed the suffering and death of her son Jesus and simultaneously rose to become the mother of mankind.

“All of us at the Genesis Foundation have been touched by the way people have reacted so powerfully to the Stabat mater.

"To join our long-term collaborators in bringing this great work to one of the world’s most sacred sites will be an unforgettable experience, and the performance will reaffirm music’s capacity to reinforce the spiritual power of words. I wish to extend my thanks to the Papal Household for its gracious permission in permitting this performance to take place in the Sistine Chapel, and to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, for his commitment to this entire undertaking.”

The performance will next be available to listen to for one month on the Classic FM website. The work will be performed by The Sixteen, a London-based choir.

Sir James helped open the Blue Kiwi photographic exhibition, which has been on display at the Vikingar for the past year.