The Italian castrati of the Royal Chapel of Versailles (Louis XIV had brought eight of them from Italy as early as 1679 for his sacred music) themselves brought the score from Italy and became its zealous promoters at the court of Louis XV and the Concert Spirituel. Upon discovering Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Paris was enraptured and recognized it as the revolutionary work of a Neapolitan genius who had tragically died young. Its success endured throughout the century. Vivaldi’s setting of the same Stabat Mater text resulted in a virtuosic work, composed in 1712 to be performed in Brescia. Mirroring these Marian laments, the motet In furore unleashes opposing passions in a piece as dazzling as it is contrasting: here is the fury of divine wrath!

To bring out the full splendor of the sumptuous duo of angelic voices lamenting Mary’s pain at the foot of the Cross, it takes two performers who can blend their timbres, like the two Neapolitan castrati for whom this music was composed.

The brilliant sopranist Bruno de Sá brings all the light of South America to a voice that undoubtedly reflects the angelic quality of some of the Vatican, Naples Royal Chapel, or Versailles castrati! And the alto voice of Cameron Shahbazi, a singer of Iranian descent, adds an unheard-of commentary color to this summit duo.

Here are two exceptional performers for a program of sensitivity and virtuosity…

This concert is dedicated to the memory of Denis Jovignot.

Produced by Les Productions de l’Opéra Royal.

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