Giovanni Battista Pergolesi [1710-1736]

On this day,

January 4, 1710

Italian Baroque composer, violinist and organist

Giovanni Battista Draghi

often referred to as

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi

was born

in Jesi in what is now the Province of Ancona.

portrait of Pergolesi by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro

Pergolesi was one of the most important early composers of opera buffa (comic opera).

His compositions include operas and sacred music.

His best-known works include his Stabat Mater and the opera La serva padrona (The Maid Turned Mistress).

Sadly he died of tuberculosis at the age of 26.

We listen to

Stabat Mater

for soprano, contralto, strings and basso continuo

in what I think is the best recording

conducted by
Claudio Abbado

Margaret Marshall, soprano

Lucia Valentini Terrani, contralto

Leslie Pearson, organ

London Symphony Orchestra

Recorded in 1985

00:00 “Stabat Mater Dolorosa”
04:39 “Cujus animam gementem”
07:47 “O quam tristis et afflicta”
10:22 “Quae moerebat et dolebat”
13:12 “Quis est homo”—”Pro peccatis suae gentis…”
16:14 “Vidit suum dulcem natum”
19:48 “Eja mater fons amoris”
22:42 “Fac ut ardeat cor meum”
25:23 “Sancta mater, istud agas”
31:22 “Fac ut portem Christi mortem”
35:06 “Inflammatus et accensus”
37:57 “Quando corpus morietur” —”Amen…”

Rain coming • Theologos

Enjoy!

Stay Safe!

14 replies »

  1. I have to confess that I’m not a big fan of opera either, Marina, but I can appreciate the talent and beauty. And the back story is interesting, though sad that he died at 26. The stars are enchanting, too. 🙂 💗✨💗✨💗✨

  2. I went with my friend to see the ballet performed to this beautiful music. It was disappointing in that the advertisements led us to believe there would be water and all sorts of things… It was… okay. A bummer because we saw two ballets in a row that disappointed us but hey, we keep going to expand our horizons! I actually love this type of music. Like you, I love oratorios and requiems and various arias.

Happy to hear your thoughts

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