Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins
Fri Oct 12, 19:15 - Fri Oct 12, 21:30
St George's Cathedral
ABOUT
Embark on a choral and orchestral journey to solace... Three local choirs, Stadskoor Tygerberg, VOX Cape Town and Cantique Chamber Choir, team up to present the “Stabat Mater” by Karl Jenkins. Written only a decade ago, this work gives fresh expression and intensity to the famous medieval text that has also been set to music by Pergolesi, Haydn, Rossini and others. This recent setting by Jenkins comprises an eclectic fusion of tone colours and musical scales from both Middle-Eastern and Western traditions.The text meditates on the suffering of Mary (and, by extension, mothers everywhere) during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; the title of the work is taken from the first line of the choral text: “Stabat Mater dolorosa” (“The sorrowful Mother was standing”). Jenkins has also chosen to incorporate unconventional texts in his setting, such as extracts from the ancient Babylonian “Epic of Gilgamesh” and the writings of the 13th-century Persian mystic, Jalal ad-Din Rumi. Framed by bold, sweeping movements, the heart of the work is a simple setting of a single line – “And the Mother did weep” – sung in English, Hebrew, Latin, Greek and Aramaic.
This performance will feature over 100 singers in the magnificent acoustic of St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, replete with atmospheric lighting. Minette du Toit-Pearce will be the vocal soloist, Lucia di Blasio-Scott will lead the orchestra and Linda Claassen will conduct the work.
To enhance your musical experience, kindly note that there will be a pre-performance talk at 19h15.
DIRECTIONS
Stabat Mater by Karl Jenkins
St George's Cathedral
5 Wale St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
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