Vivaldi's Stabat Mater and Nisi Dominus in Paris

Antonio Vivaldi's Stabat Mater, RV 621, is a deeply moving Baroque composition setting the first ten stanzas of the medieval hymn on the Sorrows of Mary. Premiered in Brescia in 1712, the work is scored for solo alto or countertenor, strings, and basso continuo. Its prevailing mood is slow and melancholy, with only the concluding Amen reaching an allegro tempo. The music gained wider recognition through its use in the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley.

This Paris performance pairs the Stabat Mater with Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus, another sacred work. Attendees can expect an evening of intimate Baroque sacred music, with the alto soloist navigating the piece's expressive, sorrowful lines. The ensemble will likely capture the contrast between the gentle andante movements and the brief, brighter finale. For lovers of Baroque choral music, this concert offers a rare opportunity to hear two of Vivaldi's most profound sacred works in a single program.