Jonathan Cohen conducts Pergolesi's Stabat Mater — With Carolyn Sampson and Tim Mead
Les Violons du Roy
Cast
Carolyn Sampson — Soprano
Tim Mead — Countertenor
Jonathan Cohen — Conductor, organist
Program notes
The world-renowned Québécois chamber ensemble Les Violons du Roy present one of the undisputed masterpieces of the Baroque era and in all of choral music: Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Mater! They are joined for the grand occasion by two Baroque specialists, soprano Carolyn Sampson and countertenor Tim Mead, who both have "great reserves of sweetness in their voices and the ability to make long notes bloom as they progress" (Bachtrack). Pergolesi composed this monument of sacred music, which evokes the emotions of Mary during Jesus' crucifixion, just before his death of tuberculosis, and he was never able to hear it performed or witness its enduring success. Under the direction of British cellist and conductor Jonathan Cohen, Les Violons du Roy also perform two treasures of the secular repertoire by Vivaldi and Handel.
