Come along and experience this unusual opportunity to hear a duet performance of Pergolesi's celebrated Passiontide Cantata Stabat mater in the setting of St Helen's Church, located in the village of Benson, South Oxfordshire. Although remodelled in the 1970s the delightful Grade II* listed church of St Helen's dates back to the 12th century and forms a fitting backdrop for a performance of this the most famous composition of the 26year old master of the Italian Baroque and the most frequently reprinted work of the 18th century.
With its 13th century text, a strongly emotional retelling of the Passion story from the viewpoint of the grieving mother, the Virgin Mary, and extraordinary harmonic language it is little wonder that the popularity of the Stabat mater has endured to this day. The work's feeling of restrained 'sacred opera' is retained this evening, performed in a liturgical context appropriate to Palm Sunday, attempting to recreate what the composer may have originally intended and featuring the etherial combination of solo soprano and countertenor voices singing in the same octave.
This is a very special event and one not to be missed, irrespective of your religious conviction, featuring the acclaimed Oxford based soloists, soprano Anna Shackleton and countertenor Adrian Boorman, both former students of Birmingham Conservatoire, accompanied by award-winning pianist and Conservatoire tutor, Jonathan French.
A retiring collection will be made in aid of Church funds.
"The opening movement of Pergolesi's Stabat mater is the most perfect and touching duet to come from the pen of any composer" Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778).