Tim Mead and Francesca Aspromonte - Pergolesi’s Stabat mater

Tim Mead and Francesca Aspromonte in Pergolesi's Stabat mater

Tim Mead began his career with the renowned Choir of King's College Cambridge. Francesca Aspromonte is a renowned teacher of Italian vocal baroque at the Hague Conservatory. Together they sing, accompanied by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, the famous and beloved Stabat mater by Pergolesi. With only two singers and a small ensemble, this Italian composer knows how to capture the medieval poem about Mary's sorrow at the crucified Christ in an unparalleled way.

Dutch Chamber Orchestra with Wassenaer and Stravinsky

Pergolesi also comes into play in the rest of the programme, played by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra under its permanent conductor Gordan Nikolić. Stravinsky based his cheerful ballet Pulcinella on his music. At least, that's what he thought, because much of that music turned out not to be to be by Pergolesi, such as the Concerti Armonici . These were by the Dutch count Unico van Wassenaer and one of those concerti can be heard in this program. Beautiful baroque music from the Netherlands uniquely connected to Stravinsky and Pergolesi.