On Thursday, the concert will perform the original 1781 version, composed in the Sierra de Gredos.
As part of its Chamber Cycle, the Auditorio de Tenerife presents soprano Nuria Rial with the ensemble La Ritirata, performing the original version of the Stabat Mater by Italian composer Luigi Boccherini (1743–1805), created during his stay in Spain. The concert, taking place this Thursday (October 2) at 7.30 p.m.in the Chamber Hall, will focus on this piece, regarded as one of the great pinnacles of 18th-century sacred vocal music.
This original composition for soprano and string quintet, which featured in this programme, is the first version of the piece. The only extant handwritten score of this work was owned by Louis Picquot and has been in the Library of Congress in Washington since 1922. It contains 11 of the 20 verses of the original sequence of the 13th-century Christian hymn, although it appears that it was not used for mass but for concert performance of sacred music. The composer subsequently revised it in 1801, creating a second version.
The contribution of Luigi Boccherini stands out among over 200 musical versions of Stabat Mater, all of which are based on a 13th-century text that has been attributed to Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi, who meditates on the suffering of Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus. It seems likely that Boccherini’s decision to compose this piece was influenced by Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, which was one of the most widely published scores of the 18th century. Like Pergolesi, Boccherini composed his version in F minor, which imbues it with a particularly expressive and lyrical undercurrent that greatly enhances the cello’s solo passages.
Amid the peace and quiet of court life at the La Mosquera Palace in the remote village of Arenas de San Pedro, far from the Court of Madrid and the musical capitals of Europe, Boccherini lived and served Infante Luis of Spain for nine years, during which time he composed the greatest number of his masterpieces. In this location, in 1781, under the majestic peaks of the Sierra de Gredos—spanning the provinces of Ávila, Cáceres, Madrid and Salamanca—one of the greatest works of 18th-this Stabat Mater, composed for soprano and string quintet with double bass, was heard for the first time in the privately withdrawn atmosphere of the palace. It is thought that the soloist was Clementina Pelliccia, singer and wife of the composer, and that she was probably accompanied by Boccherini himself on the cello, Francisco Font on viola and one of his children or perhaps another court musician on violin.
Nuria Rial, frequently praised for her pure and luminous voice, her natural and emotive singing and her elegant phrasing, has emerged in recent years as one of the supreme voices of the Baroque and classical repertoire. Focussing her efforts on concerts and recording, Nuria Rial has over 30 releases to her credit and has been under an exclusive agreement with Sony Classical since 2009. Her wide-ranging artistic interests include Romantic music, compositions from the 20th and 21st centuries, fusion with styles such as jazz and flamenco, interdisciplinary collaborations and genres such as Lied and opera.
Founded by Josetxu Obregón, the ensemble La Ritirata specialises in the interpretation of early music and the rediscovery of works from the Baroque, Classical and early Romantic periods. Inspired by composer Luigi Boccherini, the group has performed at prestigious venues and international festivals in 23 countries on four continents. The recipient of an INAEM grant since 2011, La Ritirata has released numerous recordings that have met with great acclaim: ‘Melómano de Oro’, ‘Supersonic Pizzicato’ and ‘4 étoiles’ in Classica. Recognised for their contribution to early music, the group has won the Community of Madrid Culture Award (2017), RNE’s Ojo Crítico Award (2013), and five GEMA accolades, such as Best Classical Group (2015) and the Public’s Choice Award (2019).
The tickets can be purchased at a single price of €15 and €5 for audiences under 30 on the website www.auditoriodetenerife.com, at the auditorium’s box office, or by dialling the phone number 902 317 327 from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check the special discounts for students, unemployed people and large families, among others.