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STABAT MATER FOR TWO CASTRATI

Summary

Concert
  • March 29th 2024
  • Royal Chapel
  • 9pm l 1h20 without intermission
Homepage STABAT MATER POUR DEUX CASTRATS

Cast

  • Théo Imart Countertenor
  • Filippo Mineccia Countertenor
  • Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal
  • Under the patronage of Aline Foriel-Destezet
  • Stéphane Fuget Conductor

Presentation

Two countertenors for an emblematic work, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater: the resurrection of the historical creation of this work in France, brought by two castrati of Louis XV’s Royal Chapel !

 

A few months before his death at the age of twenty-six, Pergolesi received a commission for a new Stabat Mater to replace an earlier version by Alessandro Scarlatti. Overcome by illness, he expressed the Virgin’s suffering in the passionate language of opera. Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, premiered in 1736, is one of the most emblematic works of the Baroque period, and had a profound effect on the musical world of the 18th century, particularly in France.

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The Italian castrati of the Chapelle Royale de Versailles (Louis XIV brought eight of them from Italy in 1679 for his religious music), brought the score from Italy and promoted it eagerly at the Court of Louis XV and at the Concert Spirituel. On discovering Pergolesi’s Stabat, Paris was enraptured and saw it as the revolutionary work of a Neapolitan genius, who had unfortunately died so young… Its success continued throughout the century. In Vivaldi’s case, the same Stabat Mater gave rise to a virtuoso work, composed in 1712 for performance in Brescia, and mirroring Mary’s laments, the motet In Furore unleashes opposing passions in a work that is as dazzling as it is contrasting: here is the fury of divine anger !

 

For the magnificent duet of angelic voices lamenting Mary’s sorrow at the foot of the Cross, the two performers must be able to blend their timbres, like the two Neapolitan castrati for whom this music was composed. Théo Imart and Filippo Mineccia will be accompanied by the Royal Opera Orchestra conducted by Stéphane Fuguet.

 

Productions of the Royal Opera

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Programme

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Nulla in mundo pax sincera
Stabat Mater 

Jean-Baptiste Pergolèse (1710-1736)
Stabat Mater 

 

Royal Chapel

More info

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

 

PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats with complimentary glass of champagne and programme.

 

REDUCED RATE applicable to under 26s, Chateau de Versailles Spectacles card holders and groups of more than 10 people (excluding special company offer).

 

To ensure the best welcome possible, people with limited mobility are advised to book their seats by telephone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89.

 

In case of any technical problem, the box office service remain available to complete your order by phone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 (Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm) or in our box office-shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles ; Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturdays with concerts or shows except during the Musical Fountains Shows, from 2pm to 5pm).

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