Helderberg Arts Forum presents its next collaborative music venture: Stabat Mater by G.P. da Palestrina, and Stabat Mater by local composer, Andre Strijdom, together with Motets for Lent by F.Poulenc. The programme will also include music by Bach and Mozart.
Musicians from the Helderberg Basin will present these exciting works tomorrow, Thursday April 12, at 7pm, and Saturday April 14, at 4pm, at Lofsentrum, 12 Dennehof Street, Gordon’s Bay.
Stabat Mater is a Latin hymn that meditates on the suffering of a mother at the loss of her son. It is about the sorrows of the Virgin Mary at the crucifixion of Jesus, and the polarizing impact that this would have on the world to come.
The words to Stabat Mater dolorosa were written as a poem in the 13th century by the Franciscan, Jacopone da Todi, and the opening line, “The mother was standing in sorrow”, gives its name to the musical commemoration.
Palestrina’s motet for unaccompanied double chorus contrasts with Strijdom’s work for four soloists, SATB chorus, string ensemble, and harp. Poulenc’s Motets for Lent are short settings of texts from the Holy Week.
Kobie du Plessis (harp) will accompany soloists Melanie Williss (soprano), Elizabeth Frandsen (alto), Paul Lessing (tenor), and Andre Strijdom (bass), together with Colla Voce and HeArts string ensemble.
Helderberg Arts Forum is an initiative that aims to strengthen a cultural infrastructure in the Helderberg.
The Forum supports artistic ventures in the Helderberg Basin, especially those that draw people from different communities together around a common purpose.
Tickets will be available at the door, or call 084 676 4901 to prebook. Discounts apply.