Chorale Sets Tone For Lent With A Musical Drama

The Connecticut Master Chorale, under the direction of Tina Johns Heidrich, will present the choral masterpiece Stabat Mater by Antonin Dvorak on Sunday, March 11, at 3 pm, at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.

The powerfully dramatic work packed with beauty, passion and emotion is based on a 13th Century poem and centuries of art and sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary keeping vigil and grieving at the foot of Christ’s cross. It expresses her anguish and suffering but leads ultimately to the joyful hope of glory in paradise with a thrilling and climactic ending.

Stabat Mater will be performed with professional soloists Michelle Abraham, Valeria Girardi, Andrew Childs and David Shapero.

Accompaniment will be by Joseph Jacovino on organ and the Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra.

Dvorak’s first important sacred work was created in the shadow of death. During the period in which he composed Stabat Mater (1876 and 1877), Dvorak lost his first three children through illness or accidents in a span of two years.

He channeled his grief into music, creating a work that expresses anguish and suffering, but leads ultimately to the joyful hope of glory in paradise with a thrilling ending.

The work had its premiere in 1880 at the Czech Provisional Theater. These performances led to the work being presented in other major cities around the world.

Critics have rated Stabat Mater a musical gem possessed by melodic beauty, sincere expressiveness and real craftsmanship. Stabat Mater is one of Dvorak’s most deeply moving and monumental creations and considered a masterpiece.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 743-0473 for details.