Dvořák: Stabat Mater and Petter: Vigil Mass

Voxcetera returns to St Michael’s Church, Highgate with Dvořák’s popular, moving, grief-inspired Stabat Mater, and a shorter work from a dazzling young composer who died, far too young, in 2016.

WILLIAM PETTER: Vigil Mass

A playful and beautiful short setting of the mass by the late, young composer.

“British choral music lost a rare talent in 2016... profound serenity and boundless joy”

The Observer

“Music of affirmative, accessible beauty – asking expansive questions and always finding joy in the answers”

Gramophone on Vigil Mass

ANTONIN DVOŘÁK: Stabat Mater

Dvořák’s best known, and most often performed, sacred work is a setting of the medieval Latin prayer to the bereaved mother of Christ, and was likely inspired by the deaths of three of his own children. London performances of Stabat Mater in 1883 and 1884 were brilliantly received and played a cruicial role in Dvořák’s international breakthrough as a composer.

This is rich, tender music that evokes sorrow and grief as well as hope and wonder. We will perform it accompanied by chamber orchestra, playing Joachim Linckelmann’s arrangement.

Jane Hopkins conducts:

Voxcetera Chamber Choir & Chamber Orchestra

Camilla Harris soprano

Amy Lyddon mezzo soprano

Andrew Henley tenor

Tristan Hambleton bass

Paul Dean organ