The Royal Albert Hall witnessed a fervent and lithe-limbed performance of Rossini's Stabat Mater, conducted by Nil Venditti with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, on a night that also marked the Proms debut of Respighi's Church Windows. The concert, part of the Proms season, showcased Venditti's animated approach, which embraced the work's lyricism and theatricality, drawing cheers from the audience.
Rossini's Stabat Mater: A Bel Canto Masterpiece
Rossini's Stabat Mater, premiered in 1842 to rapturous acclaim, has remained a staple of the choral repertoire. Its nonchalant bel canto tunefulness has attracted criticism, particularly the famous tenor aria Cujus Animam Gementem, which skips like a Neapolitan street song despite lyrics like "Her spirit groaning, saddened and grieving, a sword has pierced." Yet Rossini writes with sincerity, and the daringly unaccompanied choral sections carry considerable power.
Venditti's reading was briskly animated, mining the score for theatrical nuggets in a pacy interpretation that favored lithe-limbed drama over heavyweight grandeur. The BBC Symphony Chorus, bolstered by London's semi-professional Epiphoni Consort, delivered a robust and disciplined performance, with crisp consonants landing with pinpoint precision.
All-Italian Soloist Lineup Shines
The all-Italian soloist lineup was headed by soprano Federica Lombardi, whose pearly voice did spirited battle with gleaming brass and driving timpani in the Inflammatus. Mezzo-soprano Chiara Amarù displayed a warm middle register, though she appeared over-reliant on the score. Nicola Ulivieri lent sombre vocal heft to the Pro Peccatis Suae Gentis, while Dave Monaco, a last-minute stand-in for an ailing René Barbera, sang with gleaming tone and nailed the top D-flat in the Cujus Animam Gementem.
Respighi's Church Windows: A Pale Shadow
The first half of the programme featured Respighi's Church Windows, making its Proms premiere. It proved a pale shadow of his Roman Trilogy, heard earlier in the season. The work has colourful moments, but the melodies, drawn mostly from Gregorian chant, fail to make much of a mark. Venditti gave it her best, with an effective opening in Flight into Egypt, featuring Scheherazade-like scales on clarinet and flute. St Michael the Archangel offered sound and fury but ultimately rang hollow. It was left to the Byzantine glitter of St Gregory the Great to save the day, with papal pomp turbocharged by tolling gongs and thunderous organ.
Broadcast and Availability
The concert is available on BBC Sounds until 12 October. The Proms continue until 12 September, with more performances to come at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues.
