A large audience gathered in All Saints Church on Sunday for Little Box of Opera’s pre-Easter performance of 18th-century sacred works.
Stabat Mater is a 40-minute work composed in 1774 by Pergolesi during the final weeks before dying from tuberculosis. Originally criticised for its light operatic style, over the centuries the work has achieved popularity and now is considered one of his most celebrated.
Thirteenth-century text divided into 12 movements portrays Mary’s suffering at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The work is dynamically diverse, with the instrumental ensemble matching the ominous moods of grief and compassion. Several movements are in duet form.
Burchell’s voice has recently acquired pleasing resonance and maturity, more than in the past when a bright "choirboy" timbre often dominated.
Consequently, the match with Barton’s rich mezzo quality in duet was excellent, and their delivery was expressive, rhythmically and dynamically defined throughout.
Musicians were Nick Cornish (oboe) Claire Anderson and Sandra Crawshaw (violin 1 and 2), Katrina Sharples (viola), Ellen Walters (cello) and basso continuo David Burchell, who also conducted from a very small organ, which is a new acquisition for All Saints.
