Come and Sing Workshop
Settings of STABAT MATER
with
Director: Richard Roddis
Organist: Michael Overbury
took place on
Saturday 22nd January 2022
The Music
Our comeback Come and Sing explored three beautiful settings of the 13th century Latin hymn, Stabat Mater, depicting Mary at the foot of the Cross. The text lends itself to musical setting, with its regular metre and rhyme, and is full of expressive inspiration and scope.
Perhaps the most famous setting is that by Pergolesi, who tragically died of tuberculosis in 1736 aged only 26. Usually performed by Soprano and Alto voices only, Tenors and Basses have a rare opportunity to join in a special arrangement of the work.
Two lesser known but worthy settings are by Antonio Caldara (who died the same year as Pergolesi), and Josef Rheinberger (1884). Caldara’s is in an older style with constantly varying textures and imitative polyphony.
Rheinberger’s is in a more Romantic style, quite restrained though declamatory with all four voices working together. It ends, like the other settings with a vigorous statement of faith and attainment of glory in Paradise.
Sinfonia Chorale Director
Director Richard Roddis is well known throughout the East Midlands for his work with choirs. His conducting experience stretches back more than a quarter of a century and, as a professional singer and a member of several top choirs, he brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to choral conducting. He was appointed Director of the Sinfonia Chorale in June 1991.
Venue for the 2022 Come and Sing event :
St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Church Street, Bramcote, Nottingham, NG9 3HD.
Concert Settings of Stabat Mater - Saturday 19th March 2022
The Sinfonia Chorale will perform in concert the works, which were studied during the workshop, on Saturday 19th March 2022, at St Martin's Sherwood, 12 Trevose Gardens, Nottingham NG5 3FU.
Comments from the 2022 workshop:
"Really enjoyed singing today - thank you Pam and well done Team"
"Many thanks for a very enjoyable day yesterday. The music was interesting and not too hard to sight-read, the organisation was good, Richard and Michael of course were both excellent.
It made a real difference having a meal provided, and special thanks to the person who produced such nice shortbread."
