Stabat Mater

On Good Friday, April 18, at 4:00 PM, the concert “Stabat Mater” at the “Latvija” Concert Hall will feature music that speaks of the events of Holy Week and invites reflection and contemplation — outstanding sacred music works dedicated to the mystery of Christ’s Passion.

The artistic director and conductor of the Good Friday concert, Aigars Meri, has included in the program Antonio Vivaldi’s “Stabat Mater”, Lera Auerbach’s “Sogno di Stabat Mater”, and Maurice Duruflé’s “Requiem”. Performing at the “Latvija” Concert Hall will be the Ventspils Chamber Orchestra, the mixed choir “Ventspils”, and excellent soloists – Ilona Bagele (mezzo-soprano), Laura Grecka (mezzo-soprano), Ance Lipste (alto), Rinalds Kandalincevs (baritone), Aigars Reinis (organ), Edgars Vaivods (vibraphone), and Konstantīns Paturskis (violin).

“At the “Latvija” Concert Hall, three wonderful compositions will be performed, which Aigars Meri, as always, has found and assembled with his unique approach and with his special question: are we ready at this moment to listen to music created both in the Baroque era, like Antonio Vivaldi and his “Stabat Mater”, and very recently in the 21st century, with Lera Auerbach’s dream of “Stabat Mater”. There will also be a 20th-century piece – the French composer Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, which this time will be performed in a version that very likely has never been heard in Latvia,” says Good Friday concert host, radio and TV personality Liene Jakovļeva.

On Good Friday, the whole world commemorates the events of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, which simultaneously became the greatest promise of grace and declaration of love. It is also a day of hope, as the Resurrection on Easter symbolizes victory over death and darkness.

“I truly believe and am confident that this will be a wonderful afternoon on this Good Friday, and we all, inspired by the music, can move forward to the moment of Easter Resurrection. To live in this spring, despite the dark and gloomy events surrounding us, with hope for light, hope for love and sunshine,” Liene Jakovļeva affirms.