Rossini’s Stabat Mater

In setting the medieval Latin text recounting the sorrows of the Virgin Mary at the crucifixion, Rossini responded with music that exudes qualities of granite and grandeur. Such was the success of its premiere that within the following year it had been performed all over Europe twenty-nine times. Among its highlights are an affecting, unaccompanied quartet which will be performed by a superb line-up of soloists. Another is the spirited, concludin...