Rossini's Stabat Mater with the Groot Omroepkoor
About the event
On the Sunday following All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day, The Sunday Morning Concert is dedicated to mourning and loss. In Rossini's Stabat Mater, Mary mourns over her crucified son with both drama and introspection. The Netherlands Radio Choir knows better than any other ensemble how to bring to life the profound emotions that opera composer Rossini captures in notes here. Rossini's Stabat Mater
A Stabat Mater is a musical Pietà: Mary weeping over her crucified son. In the hands of master opera composer Rossini, the sorrowfully intimate scene becomes almost a lyrical opera, set against a liturgical backdrop. Rossini strings together one vocal gem after another in this perfect balance between drama and contemplation; from the well-known tenor aria 'Cujus animam' and the dramatic 'Inflammatus' to the moving a cappella moment 'Quando corpus morietur' and the imposing concluding 'Amen'. The piece undoubtedly ranks among the most beautiful sacred choral works.
Great Broadcasting Choir
The Netherlands Radio Choir, together with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, forms a key pillar in the programming of The Sunday Morning Concert. The choir holds its own absolutely well a cappella, but as the only professional choir in the Netherlands performing the major choral-symphonic repertoire, this top vocal ensemble truly shines when sharing the stage with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Choir and orchestra are perfectly attuned to one another, and this is clearly audible. Under the direction of Edward Gardner—who, as former chief conductor of the London Philharmonic, belongs to the absolute world elite—it promises to be an impressive morning.
