Dvorak's masterpiece Stabat Mater to be performed in Cairo and Alexandria

Ahram Online , Sunday 5 Jun 2022

Antonin Dvorak's Stabat Mater will be performed at Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Basilique Notre Dame d'Heliopolis under the baton of Nayer Nagui.

Stabat Mater

The performance will take place on Friday 24 June in Alexandria and Saturday 25 June in Cairo.

The evening brings together the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Orchestra, the BA Youth Orchestra, the BA Symphonic Choir, and the Cairo Celebration Choir, conducted by Nayer Nagui.

The soloists of the evening are Dina Iskander (soprano), Itsuki Mikiko (mezzo soprano), Georges Wanis (tenor) and Boris Prigl (bass baritone).

The performances are held in cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Cairo.

According to historical sources, Dvorak composed Stabat Mater for himself when he was 35 years old. The hymn was based on a "Latin poem composed by Franciscans in the 13th century that meditates on the Virgin Mary's grief at the death of her son, Jesus" as mentioned in the programme notes.

One of the most famous pieces ever composed by a Czech composer, Stabat Mater Op. 85 was written around 1876-1877 and premiered in Prague in 1880. Its total performance time is around 80 minutes and it is made for choir, vocal soloists, and orchestra.

It was performed in London in 1883, shedding a strong light on one of the most acclaimed compositions at the time. Today, Stabat Mater is considered a choral masterpiece.

Programme:
Friday 24 June at 8pm
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria
Tickets: EGP 60
Saturday 25 June at 7pm
Basilique Notre Dame d'Heliopolis, Cairo
Free Entry

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