The Stabat Mater, Pergolesi's last piece scored for two voices and string ensemble, takes inspiration from a late Medieval text which expresses the profound grief of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross.
Even if the mother's pain is the central theme, both the musical composition and the ballet choerographed for nine dancers is suffused with light.
The contemporary dance movements evoke our own suffering creating deep emotion, yet we are never plunged into despair. Favouring sequences of individual dance movements rather than straight narrative style, the ballet hints at spiritual turmoil but is at no time devoid of hope.
Choreography: Julien Lestel
Music: Giovani Battista Pergolesi
Lighting: Lo-Ammy Vaimatapako
Costumes: Patrick Murru
Duration: 37 min
