Programme notes

Gioachino Rossini

Stabat Mater

Stabat mater dolorosa (Chorus and quartet) Cuius animam gementem () Quis est homo (Duet) Pro peccatis () Eia, mater, fons amoris (Bass and chorus) Sancta mater (Quartet) Fac ut potem (Mezzo soprano) Inflammatus et accensus (Soprano and chorus) Quando corpus morietur (Chorus) In sempiterna saecula (Chorus)

In the 1830s, Rossini's output as a composer declined in volume. This may have been due to nervous exhaustion after composing nearly 40 operas in about 20 years, or to grief over the death of his parents, or even to the emergence of a Romantic musical climate that did not appeal to him. Whatever the reason, Rossini wrote hardly anything after his last stage work the opera (1829). However, during a visit to Madrid in 1831, he was asked by a Spanish prelate to write a setting of the Stabat Mater. At first Rossini refused, considering that the perfect setting had already been composed by Pergolesi. After some persuasion, he produced the work but would not let it be published. On the death of the prelate, the manuscript was sold. It eventually found its way back to Rossini, who revised it considerably; this was a wise move, for out of the original twelve pieces only six were his own composition! The first public performance was in 1842.

As in his Petite Messe Solonnelle, Rossini frequently paints a musical picture somewhat at variance with the meaning of the text. For example, in Cuius animam gementem the tenor sings a march when describing the Virgin Mary gazing upon Christ crucified. Nevertheless, the whole work is a beautifully balanced musical canvas.

Supplied through Making Music's programme note service.