Boccherini's "Stabat Mater": A rare version will be performed at the Auditorio de Tenerife
At the Auditorio de Tenerife, soprano Nuria Rial and the ensemble La Ritirata will perform a rare version of Stabat Mater by Luigi Boccherini, written in Spain in the 18th century.
Tonight at 7:30 PM, you can listen to incredible music at the Auditorio de Tenerife! Soprano Nuria Rial and the La Ritirata ensemble will perform a rare version of Stabat Mater. It was written by the Italian composer Luigi Boccherini while he was living in Spain.
This work is a true gem of 18th-century music. Boccherini wrote it for soprano and string quintet. Imagine, the only handwritten copy of this version once belonged to the library of Louis Picquot, and since 1922, it has been kept in the Library of Congress in Washington.
Interestingly, this version of Stabat Mater has only 11 verses out of 20. Although it is a hymn for vespers, it seems to have been used more for concerts than for church services. Later, in 1801, Boccherini created another version of this work.
Stabat Mater is a medieval Christian text about the pain of Jesus' mother during the crucifixion. Many composers have written music to these words, but Boccherini's version is special. It is said that he was influenced by Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, which was very popular in the 18th century. Boccherini, like Pergolesi, wrote his work in F minor to create a special atmosphere and convey deep feelings.
Imagine: the quiet town of Arenas de San Pedro, the Mosquera Palace, far from noisy Madrid. This is where Boccherini lived and worked in the service of the Infante Don Luis de Bourbon. These nine years were very fruitful for the composer. And it was here, in 1781, that this Stabat Mater was first performed. It is said that the solo part was performed by Boccherini's wife, the singer Clementina Pelliccia, and the composer himself accompanied her on the cello.
Nuria Rial is a famous Catalan soprano. Her voice is pure and bright, and her singing is natural and emotional. She has a great feel for Baroque and Classical music. Nuria performs extensively in concerts and records albums. In addition, she is interested in Romantic music, jazz, flamenco, and other art forms.
The La Ritirata ensemble, founded by Josetxu Obregón, specializes in the historical performance of Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic music. They are inspired by the works of Luigi Boccherini and perform on prestigious stages around the world.
La Ritirata is a well-known ensemble that has received many awards for its work, including the Culture Award from the Community of Madrid and the Ojo Crítico from RNE.