Stile Antico: Stabat Mater

As part of the Passiontide Festival at Merton, Stile Antico perform a programme of music for Holy Week, centering Palestrina's Stabat Mater. 

Throughout the Renaissance, composers found deep inspiration in the emotional narrative of Holy Week. Central to the story of betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection is the Virgin Mary, whose response to the death of her son was explored in the vivid 13th century poem Stabat Mater - a text which has inspired composers down the centuries.

In this intense and meditative programme, Stile Antico explores Palestrina’s beautiful and emotional setting of the Stabat Mater alongside responses to the story of Holy Week by other European composers of the 16th and17th centuries. The result is a unique sequence of motets, exploring the pain of the grieving Virgin Mary and our response.

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